VOA常速英语2017--黑山共和国加入北约 成为第29个成员国

On June 5th, Montenegro became the 29th member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO. The United States congratulates Montenegro on its ascent¹ into the ranks of the great international alliance.

6月5日，黑山共和国成为北约的第29个成员国。美国祝贺黑山共和国晋升到北约这个伟大的国际联盟之列。

Montenegro, one of the countries that arose from the break-up of Yugoslavia, is a small country of just under 14,000 square kilometers and a population of about 680,000. Yet since it declared its independence in 2006, it has sought to integrate itself into the international community, and to contribute to common security efforts.

黑山共和国是从南斯拉夫分裂出来的国家之一。这个国家很小，只有不到1.4万平方公里的面积和近68万人口。但是，自从其2006年宣布独立以来，就一直寻求融入到国际社会中，共同为全球安全而努力。

Montenegro has been a reliable partner and force provider to NATO, the EU, and UN missions. It has contributed to NATO's operations in Afghanistan for six years and contributed over $1 million in the last two years towards the sustainability of Afghan security forces, said Under Secretary for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon at the ceremony for Montenegro's Accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Montenegro has also contributed to the 67-member coalition² to defeat ISIS.

黑山共和国一直是北约、欧盟和联合国任务可靠的伙伴，为他们提供生力军。六年来，黑山共和国一直帮助北约在阿富汗开展行动，并在过去的两年里为阿富汗安全部队贡献了100多万美元的资金，负责分管政治事务的副国务卿托马斯(Thomas Shannon)在黑山共和国加入北约的仪式上如是说道。此外，黑山共和国还为一个由67个成员国组成的联盟做出了贡献，助力打击了IS组织。

Since 2009, NATO and Montenegro have worked closely together through the Membership Action Plan, which helps nations prepare for possible future membership. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Montenegro was invited to join NATO due to its unwavering commitment to our common values and to international security.

自2009年以来，北约和黑山共和国就在《北约成员行动计划》下紧密合作，他们的合作为黑山共和国日后成为成员国奠定了基础。北约秘书长延斯 斯托尔滕贝格(Jens Stoltenberg)表示，黑山共和国之所以受邀加入北约，是因为它坚定致力于北约共同的价值观，致力于维护国际安全。

Montenegro has taken NATO's guidance and mentorship to heart and implemented³ meaningful reforms including force structure transformation⁴ and modernization⁵ and upgrading operational capabilities⁶, said Under Secretary Shannon.

黑山共和国一直用心遵从北约的指导，实行有意义的改革，其中包括部队结构转变与现代化，提升行动能力，副国务卿托马斯如是说道。

NATO's strength is based on not only on its military might, said Shannon, but also on our allies' shared commitment to the fundamental values enshrined in the Washington Treaty, democracy, individual liberty, and the rule of law. Montenegro's accession also affirms to other aspiring⁷ members that NATO's doors remain open to those countries willing and able to make the reforms necessary to meet NATO's high standards, and to accept the risks and responsibilities as well as the benefits of membership. Montenegro's accession is an important stepping stone toward our vision of a Europe whole, free, and at peace.

托马斯表示，北约的实力不仅建立在其军事能力的基础上，也建立在我们盟友共同致力的、融入《华盛顿条约》中的价值观基础上，这价值观就是民主、个人自由、法治。黑山共和国的加入也向那些渴望加入北约的国家发出明确的信号，即北约的大门始终向那些愿意并且有能力推行必要的改革以满足北约高标准的国家敞开，向那些愿意并且能够接受作为北约成员国一员所要面临的风险和责任。黑山共和国的加入是一块重要的基石，助力我们实现完整、自由、和平欧洲的愿景。

1 ascent   

n.(声望或地位)提高；上升，升高；登高

参考例句：

• His rapid ascent in the social scale was surprising.他的社会地位提高之迅速令人吃惊。
• Burke pushed the button and the elevator began its slow ascent.伯克按动电钮，电梯开始缓慢上升。

2 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

3 implemented   

v.实现( implement的过去式和过去分词 )；执行；贯彻；使生效

参考例句：

• This agreement, if not implemented, is a mere scrap of paper. 这个协定如不执行只不过是一纸空文。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The economy is in danger of collapse unless far-reaching reforms are implemented. 如果不实施影响深远的改革，经济就面临崩溃的危险。 来自辞典例句

4 transformation   

n.变化；改造；转变

参考例句：

• Going to college brought about a dramatic transformation in her outlook.上大学使她的观念发生了巨大的变化。
• He was struggling to make the transformation from single man to responsible husband.他正在努力使自己由单身汉变为可靠的丈夫。

5 modernization   

n.现代化，现代化的事物

参考例句：

• This will help us achieve modernization.这有助于我们实现现代化。
• The Chinese people are sure to realize the modernization of their country.中国人民必将实现国家现代化。

6 capabilities   

n.能力( capability的名词复数 )；可能；容量；[复数]潜在能力

参考例句：

• He was somewhat pompous and had a high opinion of his own capabilities. 他有点自大，自视甚高。 来自辞典例句
• Some programmers use tabs to break complex product capabilities into smaller chunks. 一些程序员认为，标签可以将复杂的功能分为每个窗格一组简单的功能。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

7 aspiring   

adj.有志气的；有抱负的；高耸的v.渴望；追求

参考例句：

• Aspiring musicians need hours of practice every day. 想当音乐家就要每天练许多小时。
• He came from an aspiring working-class background. 他出身于有抱负的工人阶级家庭。 来自辞典例句