VOA标准英语2009年-EU to Boost Afghan Aid

By Lisa Bryant
Paris
27 October 2009

Europe will increase its aid to Afghanistan despite concerns the situation in the central Asian country is deteriorating¹. The decision was announced during a meeting of European Union foreign ministers in Luxembourg.

 
Sweden's FM Carl Bildt, right, arrives with EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana, left, ahead of a media conference, Luxembourg, Tuesday 27 Oct. 2009
European Union foreign ministers expressed concern not only about the security situation in Afghanistan, but also about the lack of sufficient progress in political reform there. Speaking in Luxembourg, Foreign Minister Carl Bildt of Sweden, which holds the rotating EU presidency², announced the bloc³ would step up its support, including its civilian⁴ aid, which currently totals about $1.5 billion per year.

"There's a new recognition in the global debate that while security efforts in Afghanistan are exceedingly important, critical, we can never succeed if we don't manage to build a basic state with basic governance that can provide basic security in the area between Central Asia and South Asia," Bildt said. "That requires a lot of strategic patience an this is not going to happen overnight. And it requires clearly a more determined⁵ effort on the civilian and political sides. And here the European Union is now - I wouldn't say taking the lead -- but clearly stepping up efforts."

Bildt's remarks came at the end of a two-day meeting of EU foreign ministers that touched on a wide range of topics. Among other decisions, they announced an arms embargo⁶ and sanctions against leaders of the military junta⁷ in the West African country of Guinea. The EU also dropped remaining sanctions imposed against Uzbekistan, following a 2005 crackdown on an uprising there.

Separately, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana reacted cautiously to reports that Iran would accept the broad lines of a UN proposal to enrich Iranian uranium overseas -- but only if "important changes" were made.

"The deal was a good deal. I don't think it requires fundamental changes. But let's see what it [Iran] means [by] fundamental changes," Solana said.

The EU ministers' meeting comes ahead of a summit of European leaders at the week's end. The leaders are expected to discuss a number of key issues, including European commitments on fighting climate change, ahead of a December climate change summit in Copenhagen.

 

1 deteriorating   

恶化，变坏( deteriorate的现在分词 )

参考例句：

• The weather conditions are deteriorating. 天气变得越来越糟。
• I was well aware of the bad morale and the deteriorating factories. 我很清楚，大家情绪低落，各个工厂越搞越坏。

2 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。

3 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。

4 civilian   

adj.平民的，民用的，民众的

参考例句：

• There is no reliable information about civilian casualties.关于平民的伤亡还没有确凿的信息。
• He resigned his commission to take up a civilian job.他辞去军职而从事平民工作。

5 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

6 embargo   

n.禁运（令）；vt.对...实行禁运，禁止（通商）

参考例句：

• This country put an oil embargo on an enemy country.该国对敌国实行石油禁运。
• During the war,they laid an embargo on commerce with enemy countries.在战争期间，他们禁止与敌国通商。

7 junta   

n.团体；政务审议会

参考例句：

• The junta reacted violently to the perceived threat to its authority.军政府感到自身权力受威胁而进行了激烈反击。
• A military junta took control of the country.一个军政权控制了国家。