VOA标准英语2009年-Europe and Ukraine to Improve Natural Gas Infra

Europe and Ukraine agreed in Brussels to work together to encourage investment in Kiev's aging gas infrastructure¹, with Ukraine also endorsing² more transparent³ tariffs⁴ for a system that is vital for Europe's energy needs.
　
Ukrainian PM Tymoshenko and President Yushchenko with EU Commissioner⁵ Benita Ferrero-Waldner and EC President Jose Barroso (l to r) at signing ceremony for modernizing⁶ Ukraine's gas transit⁷ system, 23 Mar⁸ 2009

The international conference on Ukraine's gas pipeline⁹ took place two months after a gas pricing dispute between Moscow and Kiev that cut shipments to a number of European countries in the dead of winter. Europe gets about one-fifth of its natural gas supplies from Russia and that gas is piped through Ukraine.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko told conference participants that new investment in the country's gas infrastructure will greatly increase deliveries.

Ukraine presented a plan for modernizing its gas pipeline that it says will cost about $7.5 billion. It also said it would provide fair and transparent tariffs for transshipping gas.

European officials have welcomed the plan as a way to help shore up EU energy security - and Ukraine's economy. External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said the 27-member European Union does not want a repeat of past problems.

"We cannot allow our citizens to face fuel shortages in the depth of winter again. Nor can Ukraine's economy develop without a more sustainable approach," said Ferrero-Waldner.

But Russia's energy minister Sergei Schmatko warned against what he described as a "unilateral" approach that does not pay enough attention to Moscow's crucial role as a gas supplier.

Europe has increasingly put a premium¹⁰ on finding reliable sources of energy elsewhere. It is eyeing a gas pipeline project called Nabucco aimed to transport Central Asian gas to Europe in a way that bypasses Russia.

1 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。

2 endorsing   

v.赞同( endorse的现在分词 )；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：

• Yet Communist leaders are also publicly endorsing religion in an unprecedented way. 不过，共产党领导层对宗教信仰的公开认可也是以前不曾有过的。 来自互联网
• Connecticut Independent Senator Joseph Lieberman is endorsing Republican Senator John McCain. 康涅狄格州独立派参议员约瑟夫。列波曼将会票选共和议员约翰。麦凯恩。 来自互联网

3 transparent   

adj.明显的，无疑的；透明的

参考例句：

• The water is so transparent that we can see the fishes swimming.水清澈透明，可以看到鱼儿游来游去。
• The window glass is transparent.窗玻璃是透明的。

4 tariffs   

关税制度； 关税( tariff的名词复数 )； 关税表； （旅馆或饭店等的）收费表； 量刑标准

参考例句：

• British industry was sheltered from foreign competition by protective tariffs. 保护性关税使英国工业免受国际竞争影响。
• The new tariffs have put a stranglehold on trade. 新的关税制对开展贸易极为不利。

5 commissioner   

n.（政府厅、局、处等部门）专员，长官，委员

参考例句：

• The commissioner has issued a warrant for her arrest.专员发出了对她的逮捕令。
• He was tapped for police commissioner.他被任命为警务处长。

6 modernizing   

使现代化，使适应现代需要( modernize的现在分词 )； 现代化，使用现代方法

参考例句：

• Modernizing a business to increase its profitability and competitiveness is a complicated affair. 使企业现代化，从而达到增加利润，增强竞争力的目的，是一件复杂的事情。
• The young engineer had a large share in modernizing the factory. 这位年轻工程师在工厂现代化的过程中尽了很大的“力”。

7 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。

8 mar   

vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟

参考例句：

• It was not the custom for elderly people to mar the picnics with their presence.大人们照例不参加这样的野餐以免扫兴。
• Such a marriage might mar your career.这样的婚姻说不定会毁了你的一生。

9 pipeline   

n.管道，管线

参考例句：

• The pipeline supplies Jordan with 15 per cent of its crude oil.该管道供给约旦15%的原油。
• A single pipeline serves all the houses with water.一条单管路给所有的房子供水。

10 premium   

n.加付款；赠品；adj.高级的；售价高的

参考例句：

• You have to pay a premium for express delivery.寄快递你得付额外费用。
• Fresh water was at a premium after the reservoir was contaminated.在水库被污染之后，清水便因稀而贵了。