ANNUAL POLICY REPORT 2012 Institutes and Institutions of non-member states of the EU, in order to exchange students, exchange of expertise, enhance cooperation between universities in terms of research and promote science and research. They are governed by the rules of international bilateral agreements of academic institutions. Such agreements have been signed by various Greek Universities with Universities of Egypt, Albania, Algeria, Jordan, Turkey, etc. Law 4009/11 includes provisions that aim to promote and strengthen the internationalization of Greek Higher Education Institutes (by launching, for example, courses in English). It also enables institutions to organize and offer courses as a result of collaboration between schools or in cooperation with other institutions domestically or abroad and in a foreign language, and special programs for lifelong learning, both traditional and distance. Furthermore it provides procedures and forms of partnership linking higher education with the international academic community and with advanced research at European and global level. Besides the educational benefits, attracting foreign students will have economic benefits for higher education institutions, local societies, employment and national economy in general. The role of knowledge and high skills in economic and social development make attracting "brains" an important field of international competition. The Higher Education System in Greece is among the most accessible and affordable for TCNs in Europe: not requiring them to pass entry exams, education is free while knowledge of the Greek language is not a prerequisite for submitting the registration application. In addition, given the large number of universities and technical schools, as well as the important range of scientific fields covered, students have the opportunity to choose from many specialties and disciplines. Regarding the granting of a national entry visa to study, basic requirement is to have been admitted to one of the educational institutions in the country and be able to cover the costs of studying and living in Greece. A visa is a prerequisite for granting the respective residence permit. A third country student, who is not equipped with the special student visa will not be granted a residence permit for studies. Third country students have the opportunity to participate in student mobility programs of the EU. To prevent abuse of the right of entering and staying in Greece to study, a strict procedure for obtaining the entry visa "for study purposes" and the respective residence permit - initial or renewal -, is applied. The largest number of foreign students who come to Greece for studies comes from Cyprus. Recent years have seen an increase of students from Balkan countries. From their part, the Greek Universities, have taken steps to internationalize studies in Greece and promote the openness of higher education. They have signed bilateral agreements with universities in third countries to promote cooperation and exchange in research and education and participate in international organizations, networks and associations. Finally the presence of Greek universities in international education fairs is consistent, with the aim to attract students from third countries and promote the Greek 9