ANNUAL POLICY REPORT 2012 2. IRREGULAR MIGRATION NB. The questions in this Section have the purpose of reporting activities in Member States that have contributed to the six Strategic Priority Areas outlined in the Strategic Response to EU Action on Migratory Pressures.183 2.1 Strategic Priorities Priority I: Strengthening cooperation with third countries of transit and origin on migration management The relevant challenges in the Strategic Response for this sub-section are in particular: I.2. Ensure implementation of all EU readmission agreements to their full effect Please describe activities undertaken to support the implementation of EU readmission agreements (implementing protocols, cooperation (including diplomatic pressure) with third countries to encourage implementation) On 18/12/2012 the Minister of Public Order and Citizen Protection signed the Protocol of Implementation of the Readmission Agreement between EU and Russia. A draft text of the Implementing Protocol has also been agreed with Serbia and it is pending the final signature by the responsible Ministers. Furthermore drafts of Implementing Protocols with Bosnia-Herzegovina and Moldova have been submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs / Special Legal Service for further lawmaking process. A revised version of the current draft of the bilateral protocol implementing EU Readmission Agreement with Albania is also under consideration. Additionally, in order to improve cooperation with the Pakistani authorities and save time required for signing the Bilateral Implementing Protocol, the respective EU-Pakistan Agreement is being directly implemented by the Greek part, in parallel with the procedure for identification and supply with travel documents carried out by the Aliens Directorate of Attica, as the responsible Authority, in cooperation with the Embassy of Pakistan in Greece. Finally, Greece supports the conclusion of readmission agreements with third countries. In this context, it is argued that continuous efforts should be undertaken at international and EU level, for keeping up the agenda and stressing the fact that Readmission Agreements should be strengthened, since they allow States to avoid long-lasting return procedures, which may result in illegal migrants being stranded in the receiving country, as is the case in Greece. 183 8714/1/12 REV 1 http://register.consilium.europa.eu/pdf/en/12/st08/st08714-re01.en12.pdf 17