ITER Negotiations press release.

The following news release was issued February 19, 2003 at the conclusion of the 8th ITER Negotiations in St. Petersburg, Russia.

An historic milestone was achieved at the Eighth ITER Negotiations Meeting, when delegations from the People's Republic of China and the United States of

St. Petersburg, Russia, celebrating its 300th anniversary this year, was the site of the Meeting. Mr. Igor Borovkov, First Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation on Atomic Energy Minatom, welcomed all the delegates, noting the significance of the addition of China and the United States to the Negotiations.

History was made at this meeting as delegates representing China and the United States joined the Negotiations and confirmed their countries' commitment to participate in ITER.

In their opening statements, the Heads of Delegation of both China and the United States declared their countries' commitment to developing fusion energy as a potential source of safe, secure and environmentally friendly energy. All Delegations fully endorsed and welcomed the entry of China and the United States to the project. Negotiators noted the significant domestic fusion programmes of both.

The Head of the Chinese Delegation indicated that China, as one of the largest developing countries in the world, has a great need to pursue alternative energy sources. China believes that ITER can potentially lead to new forms of energy and contribute to the peaceful and sustainable development of the world in the long-term. China expressed its strong commitment to be a valuable member of the ITER family, to make joint efforts with other partners to the successful exploitation of fusion energy.

The United States Head of Delegation noted that President Bush announced on January 30, 2003 that the United States would join ITER. In his statement, the President said: "The results of ITER will advance the effort to produce clean, safe, renewable, and commercially-available fusion energy by the middle of this century." The US remarked on the extensive reviews undertaken by their scientific and technical and political communities in arriving at the conclusion to join the ITER Negotiations.

To express support of the community for the Canadian host site, the Canadian Delegation included John Mutton, the Mayor of the Municipality of Clarington and Roger Anderson, Chair of the Region of Durham. Mayor Mutton emphasized the excellent technical and socio-cultural characteristics of the Canadian site and the enthusiasm of the local community to host ITER.

The EU Delegation informed that France has confirmed at the level of Prime Minister Raffarin its offer of hosting ITER in Cadarache as the European site, taking advantage of the well-known scientific, technical and socio-economic environment. The local authorities have expressed, in partnership with the government, their strong commitment on financial, educational, cultural and all other aspects to provide the best working and living conditions. The EU Delegation also informed that the Spanish Secretary of State for Science and Technology, Mr. Morenes headed an official delegation to meet with Commissioner Busquin to personally re-iterate the firm commitment of all layers of Spanish government and society to the success of ITER in Vandellos. Announcement was also made of the important step of starting the official licensing procedure for ITER in Spain two months in advance of the previously presented schedule.

The Head of Japanese Delegation reported that Prime Minister Koizumi visited Russia on 10th and 11th January and he referred to the importance of ITER both in the Summit meeting with President Putin and in his speech at the Kurchatov Institute. Also, Mr. Kimura, Governor of Aomori Prefecture, attending the meeting, promised to establish an international school and stressed on the recent and future improvement of public transportation, including an extension of a bullet train line and planned direct flights from Narita to Aomori.

The Negotiators approved the Report of the Ad Hoc Group on the Joint Assessment of Specific Sites of Specific Sites (JASS). It was completed within the framework of the Negotiations following detailed reviews and visits to all four potential locations: Clarington in Canada; Cadarache in France; Vandellos in Spain; and, Rokkasho-mura in Japan. The Report confirms that all four sites meet the criteria established for the location of the ITER project, although there are different strengths and weaknesses for each site. The Delegations agreed to release this report. The Report will be posted on the ITER Website (www.iter.org/jass)in the coming weeks.

Delegations discussed the possible approach to decision making and agreed to step forward by concentrating on the essential elements for decision making enthusiastically, in order to conclude the agreement and to start constructing ITER as soon as possible.

At the conclusion of this eighth Negotiations Meeting, the delegations noted the participation of China and the United States. The addition of the new Participants will be of great benefit to the project, enhancing the prospects for its early success in developing fusion as a future energy source. The entry of the new Participants has increased the momentum, and this will result in the acceleration of the decision-making process.

The Ninth Negotiations Meeting will be held on 20-21 May 2003, in Vienna, hosted by the European Union and the International Atomic Energy Agency.