VOA标准英语2009年-South Korea, European Union Reach 'Provisional'

South Korea and the European Union have agreed to what they call a "provisional" agreement to open each others' markets up to freer trade. However, some sticking points remain to be finalized² on the sidelines of a global summit next month.
　
S. Korea's chief negotiator Lee Hye-min, right, shakes hands with his EU counterpart Ignacio Garcia Bercero before their meeting in Seoul, S. Korea, 23 Mar¹ 2009

Negotiators from South Korea and the European Union concluded two days of talks Tuesday here in Seoul, saying they have a deal... almost.

South Korean chief negotiator Lee Hye-min says the two sides have agreed in almost all areas. However, the deal must be finalized by their governments' trade ministers on the sidelines of a summit of advanced economies scheduled in London for next month.

The trade deal would drop tariffs³ on a wide range of products, making them easier to buy and sell between South Korea, the world's fourth largest economy, and the 27-nation European Union - the world's largest trading group. The EU is South Korea's second largest trade partner after China.

Negotiators say signing the deal would send a strong signal in support of open markets, in a time of global economic crisis that may inspire some to consider protectionism.

Despite a broad consensus⁴, the chief dealmakers say there is work to be done.

Until everything is agreed upon, says negotiator Lee, nothing is agreed to.

A number of politically sensitive issues still require fine-tuning by the two sides. Kim Hyung-joo, a researcher at Seoul's LG Economic Research Institute, says one key sticking point is further opening up each other's markets to automobile⁵ imports.

With the worldwide economic downturn, says Kim, many automobile companies and their workers are suffering badly. He says there is no guarantee the problem will be resolved even by next month's summit.

Kwak Su-Jong, with South Korea's Samsung Economic Research Institute, say several other issues need attention as well.

He says agricultural issues, such as the import of European pork, are politically sensitive here in South Korea, despite the high consumer demand for pork. He says negotiations⁶ are also needed on the labelling of products made in the Kaesong industrial zone in North Korea.

South Korea built and manages the Kaesong zone as a source of cheap labor⁷ for the South's manufacturers, and as an opportunity to engage economically with North Korea. Seoul insists products made there be considered as coming from South Korea.

The European Union and the United States have expressed concerns about the lack of transparency in Kaesong regarding labor conditions and pay for the more than 35,000 North Koreans who work there.

1 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。

2 finalized   

vt.完成（finalize的过去式与过去分词形式）

参考例句：

• The draft of this article has been finalized [done]. 这篇文章已经定稿。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• The draft was revised several times before it was finalized. 稿子几经删改才定下来。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

3 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。

4 consensus   

n.(意见等的)一致，一致同意，共识

参考例句：

• Can we reach a consensus on this issue?我们能在这个问题上取得一致意见吗？
• What is the consensus of opinion at the afternoon meeting?下午会议上一致的意见是什么？

5 automobile   

n.汽车，机动车

参考例句：

• He is repairing the brake lever of an automobile.他正在修理汽车的刹车杆。
• The automobile slowed down to go around the curves in the road.汽车在路上转弯时放慢了速度。

6 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。

7 labor   

n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦

参考例句：

• We are never late in satisfying him for his labor.我们从不延误付给他劳动报酬。
• He was completely spent after two weeks of hard labor.艰苦劳动两周后，他已经疲惫不堪了。