FPN03-66

ITER Countdown

October 28, 2003

The Parties negotiating the construction of the international ITER project have set themselves the following tentative schedule for completion of the negotiations.

November 5 - 12, 2003: NSSG Meeting in Beijing - completion of negotiators staff sub group discussions on procurement allocations and cost sharing.

November 27, 2003: European Council of Ministers meet in Brussels to decide on a European site to propose for ITER.

December 6, 2003: Meeting of Science Ministers of ITER Parties in Vienna, Completion of October 9 meeting to agree on an international site for ITER, procurement allocation, cost sharing and a Director General.

December 16, 2003: Meeting at the Ministerial Level in Washington, DC, hosted by Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham to initial the ITER Joint Implementing Agreement.