ANNUAL POLICY REPORT 2012 land borders of member states of the EU facilitating the creation of permanent structures while establishing coordination and best practices for conducting joint operations. For this purpose, Greece participates in operations with the Focal Points of Passport Control Services in Kipi Alexandroupolis, Krystallopigi Florina, Cacavia Ioannina. Joint operation FOCAL POINTS 2012 air: This joint operation is conducted throughout the year at major international airports of member states of the EU. In the context of this action there is exchange of experts between the responsible services of member states with the aim of transferring know-how and experience. For operational reasons, Greece participates at the airports of Athens and Thessaloniki. B. Education / training: Apart from the financing and organization of joint operations, particularly important is the contribution of Frontex in the field of education where educational seminars are held specifically for border guards’ training in the areas of illegal immigrants’ nationality identification (screening) and conducting interviews of arrested illegal immigrants in order to gather intelligence on trafficking networks and illegal migration. Other educational activities of Frontex concern the identification of stolen vehicles and the detection of false documents. Hellenic Police gives special emphasis to, among others, the reform of initial and recurrent training of border guards. Greece already has 2 national trainers on identification (screening) and has trained 25 experts in the Evros region while corresponding staff trainings took place recently and in Athens, Thessaloniki and the islands of the Eastern Aegean. Training has been conducted for border control staff with the granting of funds of the European External Borders Fund. C. Greek Participation in Frontex operations in EU m-s In the spirit of solidarity, but also our country’s support with staff and equipment, Greece has participated in joint operations of the Agency implemented in other member states. However, Greek involvement is limited, partly because the country is facing the greatest flow of illegal immigration and has now increased needs and because of the economic situation of the country (although participation cost is fully reimbursed by Frontex, the inability of direct reimbursement of expenses by the Agency leads to commitment of funds by the state budget). e. Please describe any additional (planned) activities not already described above that contribute to the strengthening of security and preventing irregular migration at the external borders e.g. (i) use of advanced passenger information in accordance with Directive 2004/82/EC; (ii) identification of 24