Nations Sign Nuclear Fusion Reactor Pact

November 21, 2006

Model for the experimental International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) in Cadarache, France

Today, Ministers from the seven Parties of the international nuclear fusion project ITER (China, European Union, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, the Russian Federation and the United States of America) came together to sign the agreement to establish the international Organization that will implement the ITER fusion energy project.

The signature took place at a ceremony at the Elysée Palace in Paris and was hosted by the President of the French Republic M. Jacques Chirac and by the President of the European Commission, M. José Manuel Durão Barroso. The signed documents were formally handed over to the representative of the International Atomic Energy Agency, to be deposited with the Director General of the IAEA.

The first meeting of the Interim ITER Council takes place at Ministerial level after the signing ceremony, under the chairmanship of Janez Potocnik, European Commissioner for Science and Research. This constitutes the first act of the newly established ITER Organization. With the signature of the ITER Agreement and the first Council meeting, the ITER Organization can start its operation on a provisional basis pending the entry into force of the agreement which is expected in the course of 2007.

ITER Director General Nominee Kaname Ikeda: “With the accomplishment of today’s meeting, the ITER Organization is able to embark on its mission, as a worldwide international cooperation, to help create a new source of energy for humankind”.

Source: European Fusion Development Agreement (EFDA)