VOA常速英语2018--非洲国家塞拉利昂与美国开展经济安全合作（在线收听）

U.S. Ambassador Alexander Laskaris, the Deputy Commander for Civil-Military Engagement at United States Africa Command, or AFRICOM, held high-level meetings in Freetown, Sierra Leone, earlier this month as part of a series of engagements across West Africa.

美国大使亚历山大(Alexander Laskaris)是美国非洲司令部(AFRICOM)负责军民事务的副指挥。本月初，他在塞拉利昂的弗里敦举办了高层会议，这是美国在西非系列活动的部分内容。

During the visit, Ambassador Laskaris, along with the U.S. Ambassador to Sierra Leone Maria Brewer, met with President Julius Maada Bio to discuss key military, economic, and security related issues.

此次出访中，大使亚历山大与美国驻塞拉利昂大使玛利亚(Maria Brewer)会见了总统朱利叶斯 马达 比奥(Julius Maada Bio)，讨论了与军事、经济、安全相关的重要问题。

One topic of particular interest during the meeting was the need for a signed National Maritime Strategy to guide Sierra Leone's maritime agencies toward secure, sustainable, and profitable seas.

会晤中，双方尤其关注的一项议题就是有必要签署国家海洋战略，来指导塞拉利昂的海事机构朝安全、可持续、大有作为的方向发展。

The United States, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program, recently funded a series of events aimed at finalizing a Sierra Leone National Maritime Strategy, a National Maritime Policy, and a Framework for a Whole-of-Government Approach to Maritime Security, which are now awaiting governmental approval.

美国与联合国发展计划署进行了合作：最近，他们资助了一系列活动，旨在敲定塞拉利昂的国家海洋战略、国家海事政策以及确保海事安全的全政府框架，现在只等政府审批了。

The participation of Sierra Leone's military in Peacekeeping operations precipitated another fruitful discussion. The U.S. Ambassadors stressed the need for Sierra Leone to focus on its force's professional development and welfare in order to prepare peacekeepers that are disciplined, well-trained, and have strong leadership.

塞拉利昂军队参与的维和任务也促成了另一项成果丰硕的讨论。美国两位大使强调，塞拉利昂有必要专注于其军队的专业化训练，有必要提升军队福祉，从而打造训练有素、领导力强的维和队伍。

In speaking with the new Deputy Minister of Defense Simeon Sheriff, the U.S. delegation also offered to assist Sierra Leone in seeking out sound, economically viable options for training, equipping, and sustaining prospective peacekeeping forces.

在与新上任的副国防部长西米恩(Simeon Sheriff)交谈期间，美国出访使团也主动要求协助塞拉利昂寻求经济上可行的合理选择，指导训练和武装装备的提供，确保维和部队可以大有可为。

At the conclusion of his visit, Ambassador Laskaris commented that he was impressed to see how well the democratic process is working in Sierra Leone and congratulated the country for its successful elections and subsequent peaceful transfer of power.

在出访尾声之际，大使亚历山大表示，令他感到印象深刻的是，塞拉利昂的民主进程运行地如此之好。他也祝贺塞拉利昂大选成功，预祝接下来的权力交接和平过渡。

The delegation appreciated the opportunity to meet with President Bio and reiterated that the United States looks forward to its continued partnership with the government and people of Sierra Leone.

美国使团感谢有机会能与塞拉利昂总统会晤，并重申美国期望继续与塞拉利昂政府及其人民保持伙伴关系。