01/02/2012 (Agence Europe) - ITER to receive €650 million in 2012. On 27 January, the European Commission adopted draft amending budget No 1 for 2012 on funding for the ITER project (nuclear fusion). This proposal inserts €650 million in commitment appropriations into the 2012 budget, in line with the agreement of December 2011 between the European Parliament and the Council. This agreement relates to the extra €1.3 billion needed for the ITER project for 2012-2013. The break-down is as follows: - €100m included in the 2012 budget; - €840m obtained through increases of €650m in 2012 and €190m in 2013 to Heading 1a “Competitiveness for Growth and Employment” (these needs were covered by reducing the 2011 ceilings for agriculture and for administration by €450m and €243m respectively and the 2012 ceiling for administration by €147m); - €360m to be made available in the 2013 budget. (LC/transl.rt)