Jacques Chirac, President of the French Republic, said that the signing of the ITER agreement was "a new step on an adventure exceptional in every way. Exceptional for its scientific ambition: to harness the sun's power to take up the challenge of ecological energy. Exceptional for its international scale: the unprecedented association of seven major partners from the North to the South, whose representatives I warmly welcome." He said, "It is our duty to undertake the research that will prepare energy solutions for our descendants."

Janez Potocnik, European Commissioner for Science and Research, European Commission, said that ITER "is a beacon of scientific and technological excellence" and "a demanding exercise in diplomacy and patience on the part of all those involved in the bringing the negotiations to completion." He said that in the process that led to the ITER agreement "I believe we have managed to build an invaluable fund of mutual confidence in our capacities to address together the big issues that affect us all."

Takeshi Iwaya, Senior Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, said, "The ITER project is an unprecedented, unique global-scale project in the sense that this international organization is established for implementing the international scientific project." He said, "We realize that it is our responsibility to the next generation to develop a new energy source for mankind to attain sustainable growth. Based on this viewpoint, Japan will dedicate itself to the realization of fusion energy by the ITER Project and also by the Broader Approach Activities conducted concurrently with the ITER project under the collaboration of Japan and EURATOM."

Xu Guanhus, Minister of Science and Technology of China, said, "This is a historical moment for human beings in the endeavor of exploring fusion energy, a new milestone for addressing such issues as energy, environment and sustainable development challenging all of us." He said, "Chinese Government attaches great importance to sustainable development. Chinese Government strongly supports international science and technology cooperation." He said, "In the future, China will continue joining hands with other parties of ITER to smoothly move forward the project and to make substantial efforts to realize fusion energy on the earth."

Raymond Orbach, Under Secretary for Science, U. S. Department of Energy, said, the signing of the ITER Agreement "is also the beginning of a commitment to solve the world's energy problem by scientists representing more than half the world's population." He said that ITER "will serve as a model for future collaborative large scale science projects."He said, "The world is counting on us to make ITER a success. The United States Department of Energy will work with you to achieve that success, to providing to succeeding generations a source of unlimited, environmentally benign energy. There is no greater contribution to world security and prosperity."