International relations, diplomacy

­1. Read the article and look up the meaning of the underlined words in the dictionary.

Tokyo and Seoul explore free-trade pact

Japan and South Korea will take a significant step this week towards signing a bilateral free-trade agreement (FTA), an important concession for two Asian neighbors that have seen their relations worsened as the result of disagreements over their wartime history. A spokesman for the Japan's prime minister said yesterday that the decision to try to forge an FTA would be announced during the prime minister's visit to South Korea this week, during which he will meet the country's President. "The prime minister will point out that relations between the two have overcome some difficulties and will seek to transform the bilateral relationship so that it is more forward-looking," a spokesman said. The decision forms part of Japan's policy of seeking individual FTAs with its trading partners and follows a similar agreement signed last year with Singapore. Negotiations are also under way for an FTA with Mexico. During his visit the prime minister is also expected to discuss relations with North Korea and other issues of mutual interest.

2. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and phrases. To point out; a bilateral agreement; a concession; to be under way; to forge (an agreement/a policy); problems of mutual interest; negotiations; the prime minister is expected to discuss; to take a significant step towards/to. 3. Give English equivalents of the following words and phrases. Reproduce the sentences from the article with them. Ожидается, что премьер министр обсудит; уступка; проходить (о пе­реговорах); двустороннее соглашение; добиваться соглашения; под­черкивать; вопросы, представляющие взаимный интерес; значитель­но продвинуться вперед, переговоры.

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Montenegro and Serbia agree to remain together

The European Union's foreign policy chief yesterday pulled off a significant diplomatic success after persuading the two Yugoslav republics of Serbia and Montenegro to stay together in a new union rather than opt for independence. The agreement, forged after 12 hours of intense negotiations between Montenegrin and Serbian leaders in Belgrade, strengthens the EU's role in "preventive" diplomacy as it takes on g reater responsibility and security in the Balkans. The deal, effectively keeping Montenegro within the federation, but with equal powers with Serbia, prevents further fragmentation of the Astern Balkans. The region is slowly returning to stability after three brutal wars that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives during the 1990s. Under the arrangements, after a constitution comes into force Serbia and Montenegro will be organized under one parliament, president, council of ministers and court. The council will be responsible for foreign affairs, defense, international economic relations, internal economic relations and protection of human and minority rights. The economic systems of both republics will be eventually harmonized with EU rules.

2. Give Russian equivalents of the following words and phrases. To opt for independence; to take on responsibility; to come into force; to protect minority rights; to pull off a success; to claim hundreds of thousands of lives; under the arrangements; to strengthen. 3. Give English equivalents of the following words and phrases. Reproduce the sentences from the article with them. Осуществлять/добиваться успеха; выбирать независимость; вступить в силу; защищать права меньшинств; брать на себя ответственность; унести сотни тысяч жизней; в соответствии с договоренностями; ук­реплять.

­1. Read the article and look up the meaning of the underlined words and phrases in the dictionary.

US ready to resume arms sales to India

The US yesterday signaled it was ready to resume arms sales to India as the US chairman of the joint chiefs of staff' announced that detailed negotiations were under wav for the sale of weapon-seeking radars to New Delhi. Closing a two-day visit to New Delhi the US chairman of the joint chiefs of staff said the two countries were ready to finalize terms for the radar deal. US officials in India said the deal represented the start of a new era of defense exports to India. The US embassy said it marked a symbolic shift in the US attitude towards defense exports to India and that a renewed arms export relationship was part of the wider warming of relations between the two countries. Later this week, a group of US defense officials will arrive in New Delhi for further talks with the Minister of Defense on the terms of the sale.

Дата добавления: 2014-12-27