VOA标准英语--Brexit Response Pits Economics Against Political Unity

Brexit Response Pits Economics Against Political Unity¹

BRUSSELS—

As Europe continued to digest the shock of Britain’s vote to leave the European Union, foreign ministers of the EU’s six founding members – Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands – met in Berlin Saturday to formulate² a response.

European integration³ has taken a painful blow, but the bloc’s core members insist it won’t be fatal.

"We have to have the opportunity now to take care of Europe and its future. That means after the decision Great Britain made, negotiations⁴ on a British exit, or Brexit, should begin as soon as possible," Germany’s foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, told reporters after the meeting.

British Prime Minister David Cameron will travel to Brussels Tuesday. The following day, the 27 remaining member states will meet for the first time without Britain at the table.

Their differences won’t make for an easy settlement, said Tim Oliver, a political professor at the London School of Economics.

“It’s not going to be quick, it’s not going to be easy," he said, "and it’s going to throw up lots of opportunity for division and bitterness not just between the UK and the EU, but within British government and British politics, and within the remaining EU member states.”

Announcing his resignation in the wake of the Brexit vote, Cameron said the negotiations should be handled by his successor, who should be chosen by October. However, EU officials and heads of state want the talks to start immediately.

Head of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker said the British exit would not be "an amicable⁵ divorce," but noted⁶ there never had been a "deep love affair."

German business leaders have already said they don’t want trade barriers on Britain, one of their biggest markets. But any concessions⁷ might encourage other members to follow Britain’s lead, said Oliver.

"How does Germany respond to a situation where one of its largest trading partners has decided⁸ to leave the single market? Will it prioritize economic links? But if it does, it risks damaging the political unity and the ideas. So the EU is going to struggle to find unity in balancing those two."

Finding that balance will be a big test of Europe’s ability to survive Britain’s rejection⁹.

1 unity   

n.团结，联合，统一；和睦，协调

参考例句：

• When we speak of unity,we do not mean unprincipled peace.所谓团结，并非一团和气。
• We must strengthen our unity in the face of powerful enemies.大敌当前，我们必须加强团结。

2 formulate   

v.用公式表示；规划；设计；系统地阐述

参考例句：

• He took care to formulate his reply very clearly.他字斟句酌，清楚地做了回答。
• I was impressed by the way he could formulate his ideas.他陈述观点的方式让我印象深刻。

3 integration   

n.一体化，联合，结合

参考例句：

• We are working to bring about closer political integration in the EU.我们正在努力实现欧盟內部更加紧密的政治一体化。
• This was the greatest event in the annals of European integration.这是欧洲统一史上最重大的事件。

4 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。

5 amicable   

adj.和平的，友好的；友善的

参考例句：

• The two nations reached an amicable agreement.两国达成了一项友好协议。
• The two nations settled their quarrel in an amicable way.两国以和睦友好的方式解决了他们的争端。

6 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

7 concessions   

n.（尤指由政府或雇主给予的）特许权( concession的名词复数 )；承认；减价；（在某地的）特许经营权

参考例句：

• The firm will be forced to make concessions if it wants to avoid a strike. 要想避免罢工，公司将不得不作出一些让步。
• The concessions did little to placate the students. 让步根本未能平息学生的愤怒。

8 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

9 rejection   

n.拒绝，被拒，抛弃，被弃

参考例句：

• He decided not to approach her for fear of rejection.他因怕遭拒绝决定不再去找她。
• The rejection plunged her into the dark depths of despair.遭到拒绝使她陷入了绝望的深渊。