EU summit to focus on growth, jobs

 　　BRUSSELS, March 13 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU) leaders are scheduled to meet in Brussels Thursday and Friday to iron out measures to promote growth and create jobs in Europe which is still mired¹ in the debt crisis.

　　Despite "consistent and courageous²" efforts taken at European and national levels, "we have yet to tackle the most immediate³ fears and concerns of many of our citizens," European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Wednesday, referring to weak growth and high jobless rate.

　　Speaking to the European Parliament, Barroso said "there is justified⁴ disappointment about the slow recovery of the real economy," and "unemployment figures are unprecedented⁵ and simply unacceptable."

　　The eurozone economy registered the sharpest decline over four years in the last quarter last year, while the single currency area recorded a jobless rate of 11.9 percent this January, the highest level since the EU statistics office started to release such figures in 1995.

　　Barroso lamented⁶ that "implementation⁷ of the Compact for Growth and Jobs is too low and too slow," saying that "there has not yet been enough commitment to address social obligations. We have to be sensible to social needs."

　　According to the draft conclusions prepared by the President of the European Council for the Summit, EU leaders would discussing measures to better utilize⁸ the "Single Market," "a key driver for growth and jobs."

　　The EU might also consider easing the regulatory burden on small businesses.

　　"The Member States and the Commission should take work forward on smart regulation in the light of the Commission's recent communications, with a specific emphasis on the needs of SMEs," said the draft conclusions.

　　In his speech, Barroso also highlighted trade policy as "part of our growth agenda," referring to the EU's recent decision to start negotiations⁹ with the US on a Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership¹⁰.

　　After agreeing the draft negotiating mandate¹¹ Tuesday, the European Commission will continue to push hard to bring these "economically very promising¹² talks to a successful conclusion," he said.

1 mired   

abbr.microreciprocal degree 迈尔德（色温单位）v.深陷( mire的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The country was mired in recession. 这个国家陷入了经济衰退的困境。
• The most brilliant leadership can be mired in detail. 最有才干的领导也会陷于拘泥琐事的困境中。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

2 courageous   

adj.勇敢的，有胆量的

参考例句：

• We all honour courageous people.我们都尊重勇敢的人。
• He was roused to action by courageous words.豪言壮语促使他奋起行动。

3 immediate   

adj.立即的；直接的，最接近的；紧靠的

参考例句：

• His immediate neighbours felt it their duty to call.他的近邻认为他们有责任去拜访。
• We declared ourselves for the immediate convocation of the meeting.我们主张立即召开这个会议。

4 justified   

a.正当的，有理的

参考例句：

• She felt fully justified in asking for her money back. 她认为有充分的理由要求退款。
• The prisoner has certainly justified his claims by his actions. 那个囚犯确实已用自己的行动表明他的要求是正当的。

5 unprecedented   

adj.无前例的，新奇的

参考例句：

• The air crash caused an unprecedented number of deaths.这次空难的死亡人数是空前的。
• A flood of this sort is really unprecedented.这样大的洪水真是十年九不遇。

6 lamented   

adj.被哀悼的，令人遗憾的v.（为…）哀悼，痛哭，悲伤( lament的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• her late lamented husband 她那令人怀念的已故的丈夫
• We lamented over our bad luck. 我们为自己的不幸而悲伤。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 implementation   

n.实施，贯彻

参考例句：

• Implementation of the program is now well underway.这一项目的实施现在行情看好。

8 utilize   

vt.使用，利用

参考例句：

• The cook will utilize the leftover ham bone to make soup.厨师要用吃剩的猪腿骨做汤。
• You must utilize all available resources.你必须利用一切可以得到的资源。

9 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

10 partnership   

n.合作关系，伙伴关系

参考例句：

• The company has gone into partnership with Swiss Bank Corporation.这家公司已经和瑞士银行公司建立合作关系。
• Martin has taken him into general partnership in his company.马丁已让他成为公司的普通合伙人。

11 mandate   

n.托管地；命令，指示

参考例句：

• The President had a clear mandate to end the war.总统得到明确的授权结束那场战争。
• The General Election gave him no such mandate.大选并未授予他这种权力。

12 promising   

adj.有希望的，有前途的

参考例句：

• The results of the experiments are very promising.实验的结果充满了希望。
• We're trying to bring along one or two promising young swimmers.我们正设法培养出一两名有前途的年轻游泳选手。