ITER Director-General: "Merci to each and every one of you"

"Les voeux" is an old tradition in France, and so it is in Cadarache. On 13 January, the local authorities from the region gathered at the Château to welcome the New Year. Amongst the speakers this year was ITER Director-General Kaname Ikeda whose message was as simple as it was clear: "Merci"!

"We came here from all parts of the world to work and live among you," Ikeda continued. "You have welcomed us with warmth and have given us efficient and gracious support. On behalf of ITER, I want to thank each and every one of you."

Ikeda insisted on the crucial role played by CEA-Cadarache and its Director Serge Durand: "The human and technical help you are providing us is very precious. ITER will owe you a significant part of its success."

The year 2009, Ikeda stressed, would be a decisive one for ITER, which is to enter the industrial phase and intensify international collaboration. "Together," he concluded "we are engaged in the great task of preparing the energetic future of our planet. And together, we will accomplish it."