EU undeterred by threat on oil supply

进入英语学习论坛下载音频

The European Union trade commissioner brushed off on Thursday the potential impact of any Iranian suspension of oil supplies saying such a threat would not sway Europe from its opposition to Iran acquiring nuclear weapons.

Iran's English language Press TV had said Iran had halted oil deliveries to France, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Netherlands and Spain - its biggest EU customers - in retaliation for an EU ban on Iranian crude due to take effect in July.

But Iran's Oil Ministry denied the state media report.

The European Union's trade commissioner, Karel De Gucht, said Europe would adapt to the impact of any Iranian action and Europe remained committed to halting Iran's nuclear weapons program

"If they were to cut it off earlier, we would accommodate quicker, that's what we'd do," he told a group of business people and journalists in Hong Kong after a trip to Beijing.

He said the European Union was determined to press Iran to rein in its nuclear ambitions, just as it proclaimed advances in nuclear know-how, including new centrifuges able to enrich uranium much faster.

"Nobody really wants Iran to have nuclear weapons ... We shouldn't change our line because it's a threat by Iran, that's not the way it works."

Iran has long refused to negotiate curbs on its nuclear program, saying it is intended purely for civilian uses, including producing electricity for booming domestic demand. Iran is the world's No 5 oil exporter, with 2.6 million barrels going abroad daily, about a fifth of it to EU countries.

Questions:

1. Which trade commissioner brushed off the impact of suspension of Iranian oil supplies?

2. What is the name of Iran's English language broadcaster?

3. How many barrels of oil does Iran send abroad daily?

Answers:

1. European Union

2. Press TV

3. 2.6 million

（中国日报网英语点津 Rosy 编辑）

About the broadcaster:

Lee Hannon is Chief Editor at China Daily with 15-years experience in print and broadcast journalism. Born in England, Lee has traveled extensively around the world as a journalist including four years as a senior editor in Los Angeles. He now lives in Beijing and is happy to move to China and join the China Daily team.