VOA标准英语2009年-Czech Republic to Face Many Challenges During E

On January 1, the Czech Republic takes over the rotating six-month European Union presidency¹ from France at a time when the 27-nation bloc² is facing a host of problems. From Paris, Lisa Bryant reports for VOA.
　

Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenbergher (L) arrives followed by counterparts at urgent meeting of EU foreign ministers to discuss Gaza crisis, in Paris, 30 Dec 2008

The Czech Republic takes over the helm of a European Union that is battling its worst financial and economic crisis in its 50-year history. Many countries are already in recession or - in the case of France, just skirting recession. And the economic forecast for 2009 promises more bad news.

Relations between the EU and Russia are also at a low point after a brief war last August between Russia and Georgia. Brussels and Moscow have only begun taking the first steps to put them back on track.

There is also the question of the EU's Lisbon Treaty, aimed at reforming and streamlining the 27-member bloc. Prague has not yet ratified³ it and Czech President Vaclav Klaus remains⁴ deeply skeptical⁵ of it - and of the European Union in general. He has also refused to fly the EU flag from his residence and opposes the EU's climate change treaty.
　

Czech President Vaclav Klaus gives a press conference on the last day of the 14th annual summit of Central European presidents in Brno, 26 May 2007

Although Mr. Klaus has a largely ceremonial post - most of the political power lies with the prime minister and his government - he may be hosting an EU summit in March.

Altogether, says Philip Whyte, an analyst⁶ at Chatham House - a London-based think tank - the upcoming Czech presidency will be a difficult one.

"The problem with the Czech Republic is twofold. One is that there is quite a strong, euroskeptic strain within the Czech Republic. And the second is that it is the first time it's actually chaired the EU... it only joined in 2004. And it will be doing it at a time when the foreign and economic policy challenges facing the EU are immense," said Whyte.

Prague also takes over from a strong presidency - France - and a number of observers believe it will may have a hard time providing the same vigorous leadership. But analyst Philippe Moreau Defarges believes the country will do its job at the EU helm.

"When you are the president of the European Union, you have a job to do. And it's clear the Czech Republic must do its job - organize meetings and so forth⁷. And the fact that Czech public opinion is euroskeptic doesn't matter. It must do its job," he said.

The Czech government says it will focus on three E's during its presidency: the economy, energy and external relations - with a focus on the economy.

1 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

2 bloc   

n.集团；联盟

参考例句：

• A solid bloc of union members support the decision.工会会员团结起来支持该决定。
• There have been growing tensions within the trading bloc.贸易同盟国的关系越来越紧张。

3 ratified   

v.批准，签认（合约等）( ratify的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The treaty was declared invalid because it had not been ratified. 条约没有得到批准，因此被宣布无效。
• The treaty was ratified by all the member states. 这个条约得到了所有成员国的批准。

4 remains   

n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹

参考例句：

• He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
• The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。

5 skeptical   

adj.怀疑的，多疑的

参考例句：

• Others here are more skeptical about the chances for justice being done.这里的其他人更为怀疑正义能否得到伸张。
• Her look was skeptical and resigned.她的表情是将信将疑而又无可奈何。

6 analyst   

n.分析家，化验员；心理分析学家

参考例句：

• What can you contribute to the position of a market analyst?你有什么技能可有助于市场分析员的职务？
• The analyst is required to interpolate values between standards.分析人员需要在这些标准中插入一些值。

7 forth   

adv.向前；向外，往外

参考例句：

• The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。