Delegations from Canada, the European Union, Japan and the Russian Federation met in Moscow this week to continue formal negotiations on the joint implementation of the ITER project. ITER is a major international collaborative scientific and technological project with the goal of taking the next major step in the development of fusion as an attractive energy source for our planet. This was the third Negotiations meeting (N3) in a series that is expected to lead, by the end of 2002, to the text of an international agreement on the joint implementation of ITER.
At this third meeting of the Negotiators, the Delegations furthered their discussions on the Joint Implementation Agreement to initiate the construction of ITER, and a number of other related technical issues such as the site selection process, approaches to the procurement allocation, and the organizational structure of the eventual international organization for ITER.
The Canadian Delegation reported that on April 5, 2002 the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission announced its approval of the Environmental Assessment Guidelines for the ITER project if sited at the Clarington site. The review of the project and confirmation of the screening level and scope for the environmental assessment is the first formal review of a fusion facility by any of the world's nuclear regulators. This follows the formal offer by Canada to host ITER at the Clarington site made last June. At the Energy Forum associated with the G8 Energy Ministers' meeting in Detroit, May 1st - 3rd 2002, Iter Canada has offered to present a paper on ITER and will have an exhibit on the project alongside the Natural Resources Canada exhibit.
The European Union Delegation reported that there has been a decision by the Spanish Government to offer a candidature for the European siting of ITER at Vandellos, near Barcelona. The licensing procedure concerning the possible siting of ITER in Cadarache has been launched. The European Delegation said that once it has a full negotiating mandate, the EU proposal(s) would be submitted to the other Delegations for consideration.
The Japanese Delegation reported the present status of discussion by the Council of Science and Technology Policy (CSTP) on their participation in ITER including possible hosting. The conclusion of the CSTP is expected in the near future. It was stressed that Japan has a strong interest in participation/hosting of ITER and that the discussion is approaching a final stage. The Delegation also reported that the basic principles of safety management of ITER and safety regulations are being discussed by the Nuclear Safety Commission and the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology.
The Russian Federation Delegation stated that the work related to ITER is considered to be of high priority and is conducted in accordance to the federal programme of 2002-2005 which is aimed to the preparation of the construction of ITER. This work i conducted in close relation with the Russian industry. The RF Delegation emphasized the importance of promptly selecting a site for ITER.
At the conclusion of the meeting, the Delegations agreed that substantial progress had been made on a number of issues critical to the successful implementation of the ITER project.
The next meeting of the Negotiators will be held in Cadarache, France, on June 4-6, 2002.
For further information, contact:
Canada
Ministry of Natural Resources Canada
Jim Campbell
+1 (613) 996-2663, jicampbe@nrcan.gc.ca
Laura Ferguson, Iter Canada
+1 (416) 203-9409, laura@itercanada.com
European Commission
Jean-Pierre Rager
+32 (2) 295-3085, jean-pierre.rager@cec.eu.int
Japan
Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology
Office of Fusion Energy
Satoru Ohtake
+81 (3) 5253-4111 ext. 7820, ohtake@mext.go.jp
Russian Federation
Ministry of the Russian Federation for Atomic Energy
Yury Sokolov
+7 (095) 239-2455, sokolov@minatom.ru