Ministers stress wish to keep ITER international, but ask Commission to explore new scenarios
The EU Competitiveness Council has invited the Commission to undertake a number of actions 'with a view to enabling the rapid commencement of the ITER [international thermonuclear experimental reactor] project on the European site [in Cadarache, France].' A six-party agreement to build the world's first ever thermonuclear reactor has been held up for nearly a year since the two candidate sites for hosting the reactor were announced. The ITER partners are split equally in their support for the European site and for the alternative in Japan. The EU, Russia and China support the European bid, while Japan, the US and South Korea favour the Japanese site. In the Council conclusions of 24 September, ministers emphasised their will to retain the international aspect of the project, but also implied that building the reactor in Europe without the support of all ITER partners is also an option. 'Because of the global importance of fusion research, there is a consensus that international cooperation should be on the broadest possible basis and involve as many partners as possible,' state the Dutch Presidency conclusions. After discussing possible international negotiating lines, the Council requested that the Commission continue to talk to its international partners and to report the results of these negotiations to the next Competitiveness Council in November. The Council will use the results of this 'final phase of the international negotiations' to reach a decision on the next step. The Commission was also asked to 'take every initiative, also counting on Member States' support, to explain Europe's proposal and its position to its partners and make a strong effort to preserve the global character of the project', and to examine the financial implications of the possible scenarios for ITER. Ministers were adamant that the cost of ITER construction for the EU should not exceed the current estimate. The Council also reiterated that, according to an assessment of both candidate sites, the European proposal is advantageous from both a scientific and an environmental point of view.
Kraje
Netherlands