ANNUAL POLICY REPORT 2012 residence permits to foreign investors of third countries in an effort to attract financial investment in the country. According to information, there will be granted a residence permit to foreigners who have bought or will buy property in Greece of a value higher than 300,000 euros. The said permit will not authorise the exercise of employment activity, nor confer entitlement to the acquisition Greek citizenship57. A bill presented by the Ministry of Development on October, 3rd provides (in article 10) that investors whose projects are characterized by the competent interministerial committee as strategic investments subjected to fast track procedures, can be granted a residence permit of a duration up to ten years following fast procedures as well. Consequently, a proposal for adding a paragraph in Article 26 of L.3386/2005 whereby for cases of investment which are classified as strategic ones, the Minister of the Interior may decide to authorize residence permits for up to ten years, was published on October 8th, on «opengov» website (where drafts laws are submitted online for public consultation) 58. 3.2 Family Reunification The provisions of Presidential Decree 131/2006 on the "Harmonization of the Greek legislation with Directive 2003/86/EC on the right to family reunification" (Gazette A143), are being applied without particular problems giving the opportunity to foreigners who legally reside within the country to make use of it. During 2012 there have been no changes at institutional or operational level, neither are foreseen in the near future. According to the Ministry of Interior, 6.072 residence permits were issued in 2012 for family reunification purposes. On January 27th, the Ministry of Interior sent a letter to the decentralised administrations informing them that upon the recommendation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the communication to be conducted with the Embassies and Consulates of Greece abroad for confirmation of the family relation, in case of request for family reunification, will be held exclusively by electronic mail. The rationale of this decision was to reduce the cost and duration of correspondence and ensure the security of communication.59. On July 13, the Ministry of Labour and Social Security sent a circular on the terms and conditions of access to employment of third country nationals admitted for family reunification60. 57 http://www.capital.gr/News.asp?id=1670724 58 http://www.opengov.gr/ypoian/?p=3334 59 Min Int.AP 18501/11/27.1.2012 Document: "Contact with the Embassies and Consulates of Greece abroad." 60 Cir. MLSI Ref oik 13974/378/13.07.2012: Defining minimum insurance days for renewal of residence permits for dependent employment, to provide services or work for an independent economic activity. Terms and conditions of labor market access of third country nationals admitted for family reunification under the provisions of Presidential Decree 131/2006. 27