  The International Linear Collider (ILC) being proposed in Japan is an
electron-positron linear collider with an initial energy of 250 GeV. The ILC
accelerator is based on the technology of superconducting radio-frequency
cavities. This technology has reached a mature stage in the European XFEL
project and is now widely used. The ILC will start by measuring the Higgs
properties, providing high-precision and model-independent determinations of
its parameters. The ILC at 250 GeV will also search for direct new physics in
exotic Higgs decays and in pair-production of weakly interacting particles. The
use of polarised electron and positron beams opens new capabilities and
scenarios that add to the physics reach. The ILC can be upgraded to higher
energy, enabling precision studies of the top quark and measurement of the top
Yukawa coupling and the Higgs self-coupling. The international -- including
European -- interest for the project is very strong. Europe has participated in
the ILC project since its early conception and plays a major role in its
present development covering most of its scientific and technological aspects:
physics studies, accelerator and detectors. The potential for a wide
participation of European groups and laboratories is thus high, including
important opportunities for European industry. Following decades of technical
development, R&D, and design optimisation, the project is ready for
construction and the European particle physics community, technological centers
and industry are prepared to participate in this challenging endeavour.
