ANNUAL POLICY REPORT 2012 2.2 Overall developments in asylum and migration As can be seen from the abovementioned parliament parties’ positions, as well as by the Government’s agreement on the broad directions and issues of political priority, immigration and asylum are established as a key policy area. Although the population of foreign nationality (EU nationals and third countries nationals), of no nationality or of unspecified nationality is estimated by the Greek Statistical Authority to amount to 911,929 persons, based on the data collected during the general census of 201120 (which is actually smaller than it the number usually mentioned in public debates), the times when migration and asylum policy were dealth with occasionally by political parties have past. On the contrary, as proved after the successive parliamentary elections of 2012, migration and asylum policies were highlighted as policy areas affecting the electoral preferences and shaping the ideological direction of parties and voters. Therefore, both the relevant positions of political parties and the results of the elections of May 6, 2012 and June 17, 2012, reflect a trend of tightening of immigration and asylum policy, with the emphasis being given on border protection and control of illegal immigration. Specifically, during the Papademos government in the early months of the reporting year, developments regarding migration and asylum were limited, mainly because of the intensity of the financial crisis. Regarding legal migration in particular, in 2012 the Greek government sought mainly to simplify and accelerate procedures for the acquisition and renewal of residence permits. To this effect, the one-stop services were created and became gradually operational within 2012. However, also in 2012 there have been cases of immigrants who received their residence permits when they had already expired. In parallel, the engagement of foreign workers, through the foreseen “invitation” procedure, was simplified by significantly reducing the bureaucracy involved, as well as the cost for the requesting employer. In order to facilitate the “invitation” procedure for the engagement of special categories of workers from third countries (seasonal workers / fishermen), the possibility of entry and residence upon national visa (Visa D) only, without the subsequent issuance of residence permit, was introduced. Moreover, the Directive 2009/50/EC constitutes, since 2012, national law (L. 4071/2012), thus enabling employers to attract highly skilled third country nationals through friendly and expeditious procedures. One of the most important relevant developments was the leak of information on the decision of the plenary session of the Council of the State which held unconstitutional the provisions of Law 3838/2010 concerning, on the one had, the right of naturalization, under certain conditions, of children born to legal migrant parents residing legally and permanently in the country for five consecutive years and children who have completed six years of schooling in Greek schools, and, on the other hand, the right for legal immigrants to elect 20 No. GP-389/25-4-2013 document of EL.STAT. / President Office to the Director of EMMEDIA in response to a request for information. 18