英闻天下——245 Serbia, Kosovo to Improve Strained Ties

 　　Leaders from Serbia and Kosovo have pledged¹ to work towards mending their strained² relations.

 

　　It follows the highest level talks held between the sides since Kosovo declared independence from Belgrade in 2008.

 

　　Although a sign of progress, the meeting showed no sign of a breakthrough in relations.

 

　　Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic insists Kosovo give up its claim to independence:

 

　　"For the start it was good, we have opened the talks, how long it will last, it is not so important in the end, its better to talk longer and to somehow come to a solution but, if Pristina's position stays firm and unchanged that they are an independent state, which, let's say, is not recognized by UN, then we will hardly reach an agreement," he said.

 

　　Kosovon leader Atifete Jahjaga says she's disappointed that Serbia appears to stick to old and entrenched³ positions and urged Belgrade to move on.

 

　　"Unfortunately he remained in the options of the old radical⁴ nationalist options that have caused a lot of damages and a lot of consequences, not only to my country but into the entire region⁵. And I expect from the Serbian people to enjoy the positive changes and the spirit of the cooperation and the spirit of the good neighborhood relation."

 

　　EU officials say they are pleased both sides met, saying the talks affirm⁶ a dialogue process at the top level.

 

　　The main talks, chaired by European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, involve the prime⁷ ministers of Serbia and Kosovo, who will meet again later in February.

 

　　Serbia lost control over Kosovo in 1999 after NATO-mounted air war against the Serbian military.

1 pledged   

保证，许诺，发誓( pledge的过去式和过去分词 )； 典当； 保证给予（或做）； 以誓言约束

参考例句：

• They have pledged that they will always remain faithful to each other. 他们发誓他们将永远忠诚于对方。
• The government pledged to rehouse the refugees. 政府许诺给难民提供新住房。

2 strained   

adj. 紧张的, 不自然的; 动词strain的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• Her face looked strained and weary. 她的脸色显得憔悴疲惫。
• Relations between the two countries had become severely strained. 两国关系已经变得非常紧张。

3 entrenched   

adj.确立的，不容易改的(风俗习惯)

参考例句：

• Television seems to be firmly entrenched as the number one medium for national advertising.电视看来要在全国广告媒介中牢固地占据头等位置。
• If the enemy dares to attack us in these entrenched positions,we will make short work of them.如果敌人胆敢进攻我们固守的阵地，我们就消灭他们。

4 radical   

n.激进份子，原子团，根号；adj.根本的，激进的，彻底的

参考例句：

• The patient got a radical cure in the hospital.病人在医院得到了根治。
• She is radical in her demands.她的要求十分偏激。

5 region   

n.地区，地带，区域；范围，幅度

参考例句：

• The students went to study the geology of that region.学生们去研究那个地区的地质情况。
• It is unusual to see snow in this region.这个地区难得见到雪。

6 affirm   

vt.断言，坚持声称，证实，确认

参考例句：

• We can not affirm that what should be done the next step.我们不能肯定下一步该做什么。
• I dare not affirm whether we can use so this word.我不敢肯定我们是否能这样用这个词。

7 prime   

adj.首要的，主要的；最好的，第一流的

参考例句：

• The prime minister spoke of the general insecurity in the country.总理谈到了全国普遍存在的不安全。
• He met with the Prime Minister of Japan for an hour.他和日本首相会见了一个小时。