2006年VOA标准英语-US, Russia Sign Historic Trade Deal

By Paula Wolfson
Hanoi
19 November 2006 
  

President Bush, President  Putin, after they made statements regarding a US-Russia agreement in Hanoi, November 19, 2006

The United States and Russia have signed a landmark¹ trade agreement moving Moscow closer to membership in the World Trade Organization. VOA White House Correspondent Paula Wolfson reports the deal was announced in Hanoi as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit was drawing to a close.

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Word of the agreement came as President Bush sat down for talks in Hanoi with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"This is a good agreement for the United States and equally important, it is a good agreement for Russia and it is a good agreement for the international trading community," Mr. Bush hailed the deal.

The bilateral² agreement followed years of tough negotiations³, and touches on virtually all aspects of the trade relationship between the United States and Russia. The 800-page document was signed in Hanoi by trade ministers for the two countries who called it the last stage in a long journey.

"On my part, I would like to add that we have been in the process of difficult and elective work, five years of intense effort, which has culminated⁴ today with the signing of the protocol⁵ on Moscow's accession to the World Trade Organization which has been a successful outcome of this effort," agreed President Putin.  

The deal is seen as a U.S. vote of confidence in Russia's economy. It covers everything from tariff⁶ reductions on cars, to protections for intellectual property rights.

Russia is the largest economy still outside the 149-member World Trade Organization. And the deal was necessary to get the final approval from the United States needed to bring Russia into the WTO system.

Russia must now sign a multi-lateral trade agreement with the entire World Trade Organization, a process that Moscow says may take until the middle of 2007.

While trade was a top issue on the agenda for the Bush-Putin meeting in Hanoi, it was by no means the only one. President Bush is also seeking greater cooperation in dealing⁷ with the challenges posed by North Korea and Iran's nuclear ambitions.

While in Hanoi, Mr. Bush met on the sidelines of the APEC summit with leaders of the other four countries involved in the six-party talks with North Korea - Russia, China, Japan and South Korea.

The meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao occurred shortly before the final APEC session. White House officials said there was a very specific and very positive discussion on North Korea.

China is North Korea's biggest patron, and has served as the host for the multilateral disarmament talks. China's Foreign Ministry⁸ said Presidents Bush and Hu agree that Pyongyang must realize the extent of international opposition⁹ to its nuclear program.

After completing his bilateral meetings in Hanoi, President Bush left the Vietnamese capital for Ho Chi Minh City. He will meet with business leaders here on Monday and visit a medical research center before traveling on to Jakarta for talks with Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

1 landmark   

n.陆标，划时代的事，地界标

参考例句：

• The Russian Revolution represents a landmark in world history.俄国革命是世界历史上的一个里程碑。
• The tower was once a landmark for ships.这座塔曾是船只的陆标。

2 bilateral   

adj.双方的，两边的，两侧的

参考例句：

• They have been negotiating a bilateral trade deal.他们一直在商谈一项双边贸易协定。
• There was a wide gap between the views of the two statesmen on the bilateral cooperation.对双方合作的问题，两位政治家各自所持的看法差距甚大。

3 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。

4 culminated   

v.达到极点( culminate的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• a gun battle which culminated in the death of two police officers 一场造成两名警察死亡的枪战
• The gala culminated in a firework display. 晚会以大放烟火告终。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 protocol   

n.议定书，草约，会谈记录，外交礼节

参考例句：

• We must observe the correct protocol.我们必须遵守应有的礼仪。
• The statesmen signed a protocol.那些政治家签了议定书。

6 tariff   

n.关税，税率；(旅馆、饭店等)价目表，收费表

参考例句：

• There is a very high tariff on jewelry.宝石类的关税率很高。
• The government is going to lower the tariff on importing cars.政府打算降低进口汽车的关税。

7 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

8 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

9 opposition   

n.反对，敌对

参考例句：

• The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
• The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。