VOA标准英语2009年-EU Urges Resolution of Russia-Ukraine Gas Dispu

The European Union says a gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine does not threaten European supplies. But the issue is serious enough to prompt an emergency EU meeting on Monday, and fresh efforts to resolve the dispute.
　

Pipes seen in a gas storage and transit1 point in Boyarka, just outside Kyiv, Ukraine (file photo)

Members of the 27-member European Union met in Brussels to discuss the natural gas dispute between Russia and Ukraine, even as they tried to play down the fallout for Europe.

Russia stopped gas deliveries to Kyiv on January 1, but Russian gas also runs through a key pipeline² across Ukraine to Europe. Several EU countries, particularly those in Eastern Europe, have reported drops in gas deliveries, but say they can compensate³ for them.

Radek Honzak, the spokesman for the Czech Republic's EU presidency⁵, spoke⁴ to reporters in the Belgian capital.

"At the moment, the gas supply to consumers is not under threat," he said. "The EU and member states have been able to compensate for any drops in supply through gas reserves, gas stocks and through other supply routes."

But Honzak called the dispute between Ukraine and Moscow over how much Kyiv will pay for Russian gas a "serious problem" that needs to be solved immediately. Russia supplies Europe with about one quarter of its gas.

An EU fact-finding mission is expected to discuss the matter with Russian energy giant Gazprom on Tuesday.

Russian authorities accuse Ukraine of stealing gas meant for Europe. But Kyiv says Gazprom is not providing enough gas.
　

Gazprom Deputy Chairman Alexander Medvedev (file)

Gazprom's deputy chief executive, Alexander Medvedev, was in Paris on Monday to talk about the standoff and Russia's complaint with Ukraine.

"The Ukrainian side is claiming that they settled all the debt for 2008," he said. "Today the debt of 2008 is equal to $615 million. The debt is not paid."

Gazprom has offered Ukraine a new contract for 2009, but at prices far higher than Kyiv wants to pay. The dispute is similar to one three years ago, when Moscow also turned off its gas to Ukraine. This time, however, analysts⁶ say both Europe and Ukraine have enough gas reserves to weather the standoff - at least for now.

1 transit   

n.经过，运输；vt.穿越，旋转；vi.越过

参考例句：

• His luggage was lost in transit.他的行李在运送中丢失。
• The canal can transit a total of 50 ships daily.这条运河每天能通过50条船。

2 pipeline   

n.管道，管线

参考例句：

• The pipeline supplies Jordan with 15 per cent of its crude oil.该管道供给约旦15%的原油。
• A single pipeline serves all the houses with water.一条单管路给所有的房子供水。

3 compensate   

vt.补偿，赔偿；酬报 vi.弥补；补偿；抵消

参考例句：

• She used her good looks to compensate her lack of intelligence. 她利用她漂亮的外表来弥补智力的不足。
• Nothing can compensate for the loss of one's health. 一个人失去了键康是不可弥补的。

4 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

5 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。

6 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。