VOA标准英语2009-Czech Government Facing Challenge After Failed E

The current European Union president, the Czech Republic, is under pressure to overcome failed talks with key former Soviet¹ states on an energy deal. Negotiations² on reducing Europe's dependency on Russian natural gas are one of several key challenges facing the Czech Republic's new government.
　
New Czech Prime Minister Jan Fischer (left) and Czech President Vaclav Klaus, 08 May 2009

Interim³ Prime Minister Jan Fischer and his cross-party government replaced the ousted⁴ center-right cabinet of Mirek Topolanek during the weekend. It is not clear what it will be able to do to help revive energy talks with Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, strategic ex-Soviet states that have refused to sign an energy deal with the EU.

During negotiations in the Czech capital, Prague, the three natural-gas producing nations were not convinced by E.U. offers of more trade and stronger transport links in exchange for their participation⁵ in a multi-billion-dollar gas pipeline⁶, known as Nabucco.

It would pump gas from the Caspian Sea region through Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary to Austria. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso admits there are reservations about the plan.

"Turkmenistan, they are stating a position that they consider basically their policy is that they [pump] the gas [to] the border. But [after that] it is up to others to engage. They do not want to assume any legal obligations," Barroso said.

Other countries, including Azerbaijan, Turkey and Georgia have signed the deal, but analysts⁷ say that is not enough to make the project work. The European Union plans close cooperation with Middle Eastern nations such as Iraq and Egypt.

The Nabucco pipeline aims to bypass Russia and Ukraine, after natural gas price disputes between the two neighbors led to serious disruptions in supplies to the rest of Europe earlier this year.
　
European gas pipelines⁸ (File Photo)

Yet the Czech Republic's ambassador-at-large for energy security, Vaclav Bartuska, has told Russia Today television his government also believes that Europe will have to continue to closely cooperate with Moscow.

"I do not think that exchanging Russia for Turkmenistan or Ukraine for Turkey, if it was the only step, would be that very smart," said Bartuska.

In addition to the pipeline, the new Czech government faces other E.U. challenges, including a crucial June summit that will deal with the so-called Lisbon Treaty. The proposed treaty, which replaces plans for an E.U. constitution, is opposed by the Czech Republic's President Vaclav Klaus.

Prime Minister Fischer and President Klaus have yet to decide who will be in charge of this and other events of the E.U. presidency⁹. Despite his criticism of the European Union, President Klaus has agreed to lead European summits with Russia and South Korea later this month.

Soon after the Czech Republic's E.U. presidency ends, the country is expected to hold early elections in October. Prime Minister Fischer has already said he does not want to stay in politics, but instead return to his old job as head of the Czech Statistical¹⁰ Office.

1 Soviet   

adj.苏联的，苏维埃的；n.苏维埃

参考例句：

• Zhukov was a marshal of the former Soviet Union.朱可夫是前苏联的一位元帅。
• Germany began to attack the Soviet Union in 1941.德国在1941年开始进攻苏联。

2 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。

3 interim   

adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间

参考例句：

• The government is taking interim measures to help those in immediate need.政府正在采取临时措施帮助那些有立即需要的人。
• It may turn out to be an interim technology.这可能只是个过渡技术。

4 ousted   

驱逐( oust的过去式和过去分词 )； 革职； 罢黜； 剥夺

参考例句：

• He was ousted as chairman. 他的主席职务被革除了。
• He may be ousted by a military takeover. 他可能在一场军事接管中被赶下台。

5 participation   

n.参与，参加，分享

参考例句：

• Some of the magic tricks called for audience participation.有些魔术要求有观众的参与。
• The scheme aims to encourage increased participation in sporting activities.这个方案旨在鼓励大众更多地参与体育活动。

6 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。

7 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。

8 pipelines   

管道( pipeline的名词复数 )； 输油管道； 在考虑（或规划、准备） 中； 在酿中

参考例句：

• The oil is carried to the oil refinery by pipelines. 石油通过输油管输送到炼油厂。
• The oil carried in pipelines. 石油用管道输送。

9 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。

10 statistical   

adj.统计的，统计学的

参考例句：

• He showed the price fluctuations in a statistical table.他用统计表显示价格的波动。
• They're making detailed statistical analysis.他们正在做具体的统计分析。