ANNUAL POLICY REPORT 2012 challenges arisen due to increased pressures at the borders of the country. In respect to the protection of unaccompanied minors and vulnerable groups in particular, the main issue at stake during the reference year has been the absence of First Reception Centers in accordance with Law 3907/2011 and the partial implementation of the structures provided for in this Law. The EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Cecilia Malmström, as well as the UN Special Rapporteur on migrants' rights, François Crépeau, visited detention centers in Northern Greece and stressed the need (a) to upgrade conditions in detention and reception centers so as to guarantee respect of fundamental human rights, (b) to redress the alarming rate of collecting and processing asylum applications, and (c) the low absorption rate of funding disbursed to Greece via the relevant Funds, despite the absence of appropriate detention and reception centers and the inadequacy of the existing ones. Migration remittances manifested a fall when compared with previous years, while Greece participated in the annual meeting of the Global Forum for Migration and Development in Mauritius (November 2012). As regards Greek diaspora, on 11th December 2012 the draft Law on the Organization of the World Council of Hellenes Abroad (SAE) opened to public consultation. In the draft law emphasis was given on the adaptation of its institutional framework to current needs, the self-organization and the self-financing of the institution and in facilitating all Greeks from all over the world to participate if they wish to. In a nutshell, in Greece, where, according to the last census in 2011, it is estimated that 911.929 foreigners (EU and third country citizens) reside permanently, few developments took place during 2012 concerning legal migration, with the exception of certain changes aiming at the simplification and acceleration of procedures regarding residence permits. Policy interest has been focused on institutionalization and implementation of a substantial, continuous and tangible fight against illegal migration, while certain developments in the area of the flanking visa policy and external border management policy confirm the latter. Despite relevant efforts, developments in the asylum policy field have been slow. 9