Brussels, 17/05/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Union is to conduct its third crisis management exercise (CME 04) from 18 to 27 May. The exercise will be based on a scenario in which the European Union conducts an operation autonomously without resorting to NATO assets and capabilities. The exercise will analyse the way the EU manages crises requiring both civilian and military instruments by assessing the way its crisis management structures work (procedures, consultation between parties, development of the concept of the operation). The aim is to improve the EU's crisis management ability. This is an exercise "on paper" which will not require troop deployment on the ground and which will be conducted in Brussels as well as in the other Member State capitals. The United Kingdom will provide the headquarters for the exercise, to be located at Northwood. The exercise will involve Member States, the relevant Council bodies, EU High Representative for CFSP Javier Solana, and the European Commission.