ANNUAL POLICY REPORT 2012 Union. The aim of the network was to promote cooperation and information exchange between civil society actors and the development of integrated proposals for improving organizational skills and promoting formation of associations and organizations of immigrants into Greek territory, both at primary and secondary level. During the drafting stage of the Annual Programmes of the European Integration Fund, a public consultation is held annually with the broad participation of regional/local authorities, research/education institutes, NGOs, civil society, immigrants associations and social partners. In particular, during the period 08/10 until 16/11/2012, a public consultation was held on the Annual Programme 2013. Moreover, in 2012 the IT system of registration / tracking immigrant integration initiatives developed by the Ministry of Interior began operating. Specifically, in 2012, the IT system was updated, both by Ministry officials and representatives from the Departments of Social Affairs of the Decentralised Administrations, in order to introduce useful and actionable data on immigrant integration activities undertaken in the Greek territory. It is expected an equivalent contribution of other Ministries. Finally, in 2012, our country has contributed to the network of National Contact Points on Integration with active participation in the seminars of experts [Berlin (25-26 June 2012), Budapest (17-18 September 2012) and Lisbon (29 November 30, 2012)] organized by the Network for developing common indicators integration at European level. 1.6 Managing Migration and Mobility 1.6.1 Visa Policy Please describe (planned) developments in relation to the implementation of the Visa Code and the Visa Information System (VIS), including developments in relation to biometric visas, for example the share of visas issued which are biometric, regions covered, pilot measures and testing, cooperation between (Member) States’ consulates and the set up joint consular services for visas. With regard to cooperation between (Member) State consular services and the set-up of joint consular services for visas, please describe any relevant progress in this area, for example listing the visa representation agreements signed and the (Member) States involved (please specify whether you (Member) State represents these (Member) States or vice versa. The Visa Information System (VIS) began operating on 11th October 2011 in the Consular Authorities of the Member-States in North Africa. This new system and its network are expected to improve the administrative procedures falling within the competence of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with the use of new technologies while enhancing border security of European countries. Since 10th May 2012, VIS operation began in Consular Authorities of Member-States at the Middle East and since the 2nd October 2012 in the Consular Authorities of 15