What's New

Following up the meeting of delegations on February 21st, a meeting of technical experts took place in Vienna on 12/13th March aiming to reach a joint appreciation in common terms on key topics related to the siting of ITER construction. There is no formal published outcome for this meeting, but an informal internal summary indicated that:

• The presentations, which included much new material, were helpful to furthering the process of understanding.
• Similarly, the discussions between the two site proponents and involving the non-site proponents also illuminated the various issues on the table.
• This meeting brought to an end the joint technical discussions that have been supporting the site decision process.
• There was also a general appreciation for the great effort made by both sets of site advocates and for the helpful role of the IT leaders at this intense meeting.
• Finally, there was a difference of view among the delegations on the nature of the outcome of this two-day technical meeting. Some delegations had the expectation that there would be discussions on each of the nine topics addressing an agreed set of 'common terms' with sufficient detail that their delegation could make its own judgment about the factors at the two sites. Those delegations found the outcome meeting their expectations. Some other delegations had the expectation that a report would be developed appreciating jointly in common terms the two sites on each of the nine points, leaving to each proponent the right to formulate appreciations on its own proposal. These delegations regretted the lack of written outcome of the meeting.

Meanwhile the participants in ITER negotiations, in particular Japan and Europe, are continuing discussions with a view to reaching a conclusion on the choice of ITER site.

Previous versions of this "What's New" page are also available:

• Delegations meeting - February 21st, 2004.
• Canada leaves ITER - January 7th, 2004.
• Deadlock on site decision - December 20th, 2003.
• Cadarache selected as European candidate site - November 26th, 2003.
• Status of Negotiations - November 3rd, 2003.
• Korea joins ongoing negotiations - June 16th, 2003.
• Eighth Negotiators Meeting - February 20th, 2003.
• US announces joining ITER negotiations - February 3rd, 2003.
• China applies to join ITER - January 24th, 2003.
• Seventh Negotiators Meeting - December 16th, 2002.

As always, regular reports on the progress of ITER are given in the IAEA ITER Newsletter.

Further general news about fusion (with a US emphasis).

updated March 18th, 2004