VOA常速英语:巴尔干地区进步的历史性时刻

Virtually every state in the Western Balkans has recently held free and fair national elections,with the participation of all political parties, and with results that reflected the will of the people.“This is a historic accomplishment,” said Vice President Mike Pence on a recent visit to Montenegro.He urged leaders in the region to “make the most of this moment.”
巴尔干半岛西部的几个国家最近几乎都举行了自由和公正的全国选举，所有政党都参加了选举，结果也反映了人民的意愿。“这是历史性的成就，”副总统麦克·彭斯近日访问黑山共和国时如是说。他敦促该地区的领导人“充分利用这一重要时机。”

“You have the opportunity to settle grievances of the past and bring people of different backgrounds and beliefs together in pursuit of the common good,” said Vice President Pence.“You can strengthen your economies and open the pathway to prosperity for your people through tax and regulatory reform. You can tackle corruption and build accountable and transparent governments which will deliver on the highest aspirations of your people and build confidence among those who would invest in the prosperity of your future.”
“你们有机会化解过去的不公，并将不同背景和信仰的人们团结起来，共同追求共同利益。”副总统彭斯说，“通过税收和监管改革，可以提高人民福祉，为经济繁荣发展开辟道路。你们可以处理腐败问题，建立负责任和公开透明的政府，这将有助于实现人民共同的最高愿望，并赢得投资者的信任。”

The United States will continue to support the Western Balkans countries as they take steps toward good government, democratic reform, and the rule of law.The U.S will also partner with individuals to foster civil society, a free and independent press, and an economy that opens opportunity for all who seek it.
美国将继续支持巴尔干西部国家采取措施以实行良政、民主改革和法治建设。美国也将与各国家合作，促进公民社会和自由独立的新闻媒体的发展，并致力于发展惠及所有人的经济。

The U.S. will continue to support the Dayton Accords and the principles they represent,and is committed to dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo to fully normalize relations between them.
美国将继续支持《代顿协定》及其所确立的原则，并致力于帮助塞尔维亚与科索沃之间进行对话，使两国之间的关系实现完全正常化。

Vice President Pence stressed that security is the foundation of prosperity.For that reason, “we’ll continue to build your capability to operate alongside NATO and other Western forces.”
副总统彭斯强调，安全是繁荣的基础。因此，“我们将继续建设与北约和其他西方军事力量共同协作的能力。”

But as President Trump has made clear, all who would wish to join the NATO alliance must meet the minimum commitment of spending at least 2 percent of gross domestic product on their own national defense.
但是，正如特朗普总统所说，所有希望加入北约联盟的国家，都必须达到本国防务支出占GDP比重百分之二的最低要求。

“This investment,” said Vice President Pence, “is necessary to keep our solemn pledge that an attack on one is an attack on all.”
“这项投资，”副总裁彭斯说，“是遵守‘对一个成员国的攻击就是对所有成员国的攻击’这一庄严承诺的必要前提。”

A commitment to democratic values and to NATO will lay the foundation for lasting prosperity and security. As Vice President Pence said, “Ours is a shared future of liberty and freedom. United in this great ‘community of nations,’ I know we’ll face that future together as allies and friends.”
对民主价值观的承诺和北约的承诺将为持久的繁荣和安全奠定基础。正如副总统彭斯所说：“我们共同的目标就是开创一个民主自由的未来。在这个伟大的‘国际联盟’中团结起来，作为盟友和朋友共同面对未来的挑战。”