VOA标准英语2012--Greeks Seek Shelter Overseas As Russians Move In

 

Greeks Seek Shelter Overseas As Russians Move In

Greece and park it in a safe haven," he said. "They talk about German bonds, gold and property and I suppose their argument is you can’t live in a bond or in gold.”

Figures show Greeks are moving their money out of the country at a rapid rate as fears grow of a euro exit.

Exact figures aren’t available, but some estimates suggest more than $90 billion has left the banking¹ system since the economic crisis struck 3 years ago.

But as Greeks move their cash out, Russians are moving in.

The Kassandra peninsula has everything Greek tourism is famous for - sun, sand and a sparkling sea.

The financial crisis has seen property prices plunge² by around 30 percent - attracting foreign bargain hunters.

Yannis Revithis is president of the Greek Real Estate Agents’ Federation³:

"We would say that there is an increase in demand of at least 200 percent from interested Russian buyers and this shows also in the demand for tourist accommodation from Russians [which increased] by at least 100 percent," said Revithis.

Revithis says traditionally foreign buyers have come from Western Europe, but as the euro crisis has spread, the Russian rouble is taking over.

Greece and Russia have a long history of cooperation. Some Greeks hope that Russians can offer a lifeline to communities struggling to survive.

Constantinos Petridis is manager of the Mouzendis real estate agency:

"It is difficult to say how business will go, but certainly there is a general interest from the Russians to invest in Greece, they see it as a friendly country, they see the religion [that is similar], they see the Greeks' friendliness⁴ and hospitality," said Petridis.

The debt crisis is forcing some Greeks to shelter their savings⁵.

For those with spending power, new opportunities are emerging. 

1 banking   

n.银行业，银行学，金融业

参考例句：

• John is launching his son on a career in banking.约翰打算让儿子在银行界谋一个新职位。
• He possesses an extensive knowledge of banking.他具有广博的银行业务知识。

2 plunge   

v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲

参考例句：

• Test pool's water temperature before you plunge in.在你跳入之前你应该测试水温。
• That would plunge them in the broil of the two countries.那将会使他们陷入这两国的争斗之中。

3 federation   

n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会

参考例句：

• It is a federation of 10 regional unions.它是由十个地方工会结合成的联合会。
• Mr.Putin was inaugurated as the President of the Russian Federation.普京正式就任俄罗斯联邦总统。

4 friendliness   

n.友谊，亲切，亲密

参考例句：

• Behind the mask of friendliness,I know he really dislikes me.在友善的面具后面，我知道他其实并不喜欢我。
• His manner was a blend of friendliness and respect.他的态度友善且毕恭毕敬。

5 savings   

n.存款，储蓄

参考例句：

• I can't afford the vacation,for it would eat up my savings.我度不起假，那样会把我的积蓄用光的。
• By this time he had used up all his savings.到这时，他的存款已全部用完。