The ITER Joint Work Site in Cadarache was inaugurated on Thursday 15 December 2005 by a ribbon-cutting and olive-tree-planting ceremony, in the presence of regional politicians and representatives of the embassies and consulates of the ITER Parties.

Pascale Amenc-Antoni, director of the CEA Cadarache centre, welcomed the participants to the ceremony and gave an overview of the facilities put in place to host the ITER team. Didier Gambier, representing the European Commission, welcomed the representatives of the ITER Parties and assured ITER of continuing European support.

Kaname Ikeda, Director-General Nominee, made an immediate impression on the regional politicians by expressing, in French, his joy at the opportunity to start working at Cadarache on such an important project.

Dr. Werner Burkart, Deputy Director General of the IAEA, spoke of an historic event, in an historic year for the IAEA, and expressed his satisfaction at the progress in the ITER project.

Finally, Dr. Michel Chatelier, head of the fusion department in Cadarache, said that he looked forward to hosting the ITER team and a fruitful cooperation.

The Joint Work Site offices will start to be occupied from January 2006 onwards.