2007年VOA标准英语-APEC Ministers Discuss Trade Negotiations, Clim

By Nancy-Amelia Collins
Sydney
06 September 2007

Trade and foreign ministers from the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum¹ say stalled international trade negotiations², climate change and global security should top the agenda when APEC leaders hold their summit talks on Saturday and Sunday. VOA's Nancy-Amelia Collins reports from Sydney, where the meetings will be held.

Australian Trade Minister Warren Truss, second from left speaks at a media questions and answers session, 06 Sep 2007

Australian Trade Minister Warren Truss says stalled World Trade Organization negotiations, known as the Doha Round of talks, was the most thoroughly³ discussed topic during the ministers' meeting.

"Perhaps the most extensive debate that occurred at the ministerial meeting surrounded the Doha agenda and the need to reach a satisfactory conclusion to the multilateral trade talks as quickly as possible," he said. "All delegates were clearly seized with the urgency of doing whatever we can to bring the Doha negotiations to a successful conclusion."

The WTO talks have stalled over disagreements between developed and developing nations over agricultural subsidies⁴ and access for imported goods.

Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer says participants agreed that global warming should be a high priority when the heads of state and government from APEC's 21 economies formally convene⁵ here Saturday and Sunday.

"Ministers have welcomed the decision to make climate change and clean development a key focus for the leaders' discussion," he said.

Downer says security issues and counter-terrorism were also key points of the ministers' discussions.

"We also endorsed⁶ a strong counter-terrorism program, including ways to counter terrorist financing and to protect our food supply, IT systems, energy infrastructure⁷ and mass transit⁸ from terrorist attacks," he added.

The ministers' recommendations will be forwarded to the government leaders who have been arriving here over the past several days.

1 forum   

n.论坛，讨论会

参考例句：

• They're holding a forum on new ways of teaching history.他们正在举行历史教学讨论会。
• The organisation would provide a forum where problems could be discussed.这个组织将提供一个可以讨论问题的平台。

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 thoroughly   

adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地

参考例句：

• The soil must be thoroughly turned over before planting.一定要先把土地深翻一遍再下种。
• The soldiers have been thoroughly instructed in the care of their weapons.士兵们都系统地接受过保护武器的训练。

4 subsidies   

n.补贴，津贴，补助金( subsidy的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• European agriculture ministers failed to break the deadlock over farm subsidies. 欧洲各国农业部长在农业补贴问题上未能打破僵局。
• Agricultural subsidies absorb about half the EU's income. 农业补贴占去了欧盟收入的大约一半。 来自《简明英汉词典》

5 convene   

v.集合，召集，召唤，聚集，集合

参考例句：

• The Diet will convene at 3p.m. tomorrow.国会将于明天下午三点钟开会。
• Senior officials convened in October 1991 in London.1991年10月，高级官员在伦敦会齐。

6 endorsed   

vt.& vi.endorse的过去式或过去分词形式v.赞同( endorse的过去式和过去分词 )；在（尤指支票的）背面签字；在（文件的）背面写评论；在广告上说本人使用并赞同某产品

参考例句：

• The committee endorsed an initiative by the chairman to enter discussion about a possible merger. 委员会通过了主席提出的新方案，开始就可能进行的并购进行讨论。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The government has broadly endorsed a research paper proposing new educational targets for 14-year-olds. 政府基本上支持建议对14 岁少年实行新教育目标的研究报告。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 infrastructure   

n.下部构造，下部组织，基础结构，基础设施

参考例句：

• We should step up the development of infrastructure for research.加强科学基础设施建设。
• We should strengthen cultural infrastructure and boost various types of popular culture.加强文化基础设施建设，发展各类群众文化。

8 transit   

n.经过，运输；vt.穿越，旋转；vi.越过

参考例句：

• His luggage was lost in transit.他的行李在运送中丢失。
• The canal can transit a total of 50 ships daily.这条运河每天能通过50条船。