BRUSSELS, May 24: Officials from the European Union, the United States, Russia and four Asian nations initialled an agreement on Wednesday to launch a multi-billion-euro experimental nuclear reactor designed to emulate the power of the Sun.

In putting pen to paper in Brussels, the officials, including representatives from Japan, China, South Korea and India, successfully concluded years of talks on one of the world’s most exciting science ventures.

The International Thermo-nuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) — a fusion energy project worth some 10 billion euros (13 billion dollars) and expected to run over 30 years — will be built in Cadarache, southern France.

“This is a truly crucial moment, for the ITER project and for global scientific co-operation in general,” said EU Science and Research Commissioner Janez Potocnik, who hosted the signing ceremony.

“Together we are forging a new model for large-scale global scientific and technical co-operation. We are sending an important message about seeing the value in working together to address our common challenges.”

The accord now awaits signing by the seven partners, either in Washington or Cadarache at an as yet undetermined date.—AFP