FPN02-64

ITER Negotiators Launch Site Selection Process

September 23, 2002

Delegations from Canada, the European Union, Japan and the Russian Federation met in Toronto during the week of September 16 to negotiate the implementation of the ITER fusion project. A press release September 18, at the conclusion of the meetings, stated, "A notable accomplishment was the commencement of the process for the site assessment as a group of international experts began in the framework of the Negotiations with the assessment of Canada's proposed site at Clarington. The next assessments will be of the Japanese site at Rokkasho-mura in October and of the European sites at Cadarache in France and Vandellos in Spain in December.

The release stated, "Also of significance was the agreement on arrangements for the transitional phase towards the possible joint implementation of ITER in 2003. These arrangements would be under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), represented at the Negotiations meeting by Dr. Robert E.H. Clark. Dr. Clark noted the IAEA is pleased to offer its continuing support."

The release notes, "In addition, significant progress was made on the full range of other issues including matters such as the treaty to implement ITER (the Joint Implementation Agreement) and organizational structure."

Japan provided a formal document of the site proposal of Rokkasho-mura at this meeting and explained its excellent characteristics for the ITER site. Representatives of Aomori prefecture stated that Aomori welcomes the opportunity to offer a site for ITER as well as the Negotiators' visit scheduled in October.

Over the next few months, the negotiators and technical experts have a full slate of meetings in Japan, Spain, France, and the Russian Federation with a view to finalizing the Joint Assessment of Specific Sites by early next year and completing the drafting of the Joint Implementation Agreement by mid-2003.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the delegations were unanimous in expressing their optimism at the substantial progress made on the issues critical to the implementation of the ITER project, in particular the successful beginning to the process for the Joint Assessment of Specific Sites.

The next meeting of the negotiators will be held in Rokkasho, Aomori Prefecture, Japan on October 29 - 30, 2002. In addition, Japan invited all delegations to attend the International ITER Forum to be held on the 31st of October hosted by Aomori Prefecture. The ITER Symposium, which is hosted by Japan Federation of Economic Organizations, will be held in Tokyo on the 1st of November.

The meetings to review the proferred sites in France and Spain will take place December 3-14.

For further information, contact:

Canada:
Laura Ferguson, laura@itercanada.com
Jim Campbell, jicampbe@nrcan.gc.ca

European Commission:
Jean-Pierre Rager, jean-pierre.rager@cec.eu.int

French Site Information:
Jean Jacquinot, jean.jacquinot@cea.fr

Spanish Site Information:
Carlos Alejaldre, carlos.alejaldre@ciemat.es

Japan:
Satoru Ohtake, ohtake@mext.go.jp

Russian Federation:
Yury Sokolov, sokolov@minatom.ru

Fusion Power Associates Fusion Program Notes are archived and can be accessed from http://fusionpower.org and clicking on Fusion Program Notes.