On 6 September 2013, for only the second time in the project's history, ministerial representatives of the seven ITER Members meet in Saint Paul-lez-Durance.

Commissioner Oettinger declared, "We understand that the ITER project is a historical undertaking and that intensive effort and innovative methods will be required to meet all the challenges that still lay ahead, especially the challenge of staying within a tight but realistic schedule while containing costs. The Commissioner is joined here by Geneviève Fioraso, the French Minister of Higher Education and Research and ITER Director-General Motojima.

Ministerial representatives acknowledged construction progress, reaffirmed the importance of fusion for the world's energy future, and stressed the importance of the ITER experimental device as an indispensable step on the path to the development of fusion energy.

French Minister of Higher Education and Research, Geneviève Fioraso, takes questions from journalists only metres from where the ITER experimental device will be assembled. "France is honoured to host such an exceptional research infrastructure ..."

The Heads of Delegation from each ITER Member, European Commissioner Oettinger and ITER Director-General Motojima take questions from journalists on the ITER project.

It's a historic moment at ITER Headquarters on Friday 6 September as the delegates arrive to participate in the high-level ministerial meeting convened at the initiative of Günther H. Oettinger, European Commissioner in charge of Energy and representative of the European Atomic Energy Community.