A/HRC/2/SR.12 document had already been resolved or were currently being addressed. His Government attached great importance to close cooperation and dialogue to facilitate the early implementation of the Special Rapporteur’s recommendations. The report contained a number of inaccuracies, but any comments by his Government should be seen in a wider context of cooperation and dialogue. 11. In response to the recommendations made by the Special Rapporteur, on 27 February 2006 Albania and Greece had signed a Bilateral Agreement on the Protection and Assistance of Child Victims of Trafficking, which provided for assistance to, and preventive protection and rehabilitation of, all victims of trafficking. Also following up the recommendations, the Ministry of Justice had established a working group to prepare amendments to the Criminal Code reinforcing the protection of children. 12. Issues relating to gender equality discussed in paragraphs 41 to 44 of the report did not fall within the Special Rapporteur’s mandate, although his Government was keenly aware of the persistent problems in that area. 13. Although the Albanian National Strategy for the Improvement of Living Conditions of the Roma Minority (2003–15) was an effective policy directly linked to the protection of persons vulnerable to trafficking, the report had regrettably remained silent about the outcomes of the Strategy. Under the National Strategy on Combating Trafficking in Persons, the National Strategy for Children and the National Strategy on Social Protection, his Government had taken preventive action by supporting underprivileged families whose children were particularly vulnerable to trafficking and by reintegrating trafficked children. 14. His Government would gladly host further special procedures missions in support of progress in the area of human rights in Albania. 15. Mr. Verros (Observer for Greece) commended the in-depth analysis of the situation contained in the report of the Special Rapporteur on his mission to Greece in November 2005 (E/CN.4/2006/67/Add.3). It showed that the work of special procedure mandateholders was crucial to the implementation of programmes and actions aimed at strengthening national human rights protection mechanisms. 16. Combating trafficking in children, victim protection and assistance to unaccompanied minors were key priorities for his Government. In recent years, Greece had become a major migrant-receiving country and a series of measures had been taken to tackle the new situation. New legislation had been adopted on human trafficking. The attendant action plan provided for special protection measures for under-age victims of trafficking; the establishment of shelters; free legal aid; public information campaigns; the establishment of appropriate mechanisms for the identification of under-age victims; the issuance of residence permits; the establishment of education and training centres; and the creation of a nationwide database. Programmes and specialized services had been established in order to improve the reception, social integration and health-care access of foreign minors. 17. Under the national action plan, much had been done to improve infrastructures, raise awareness of the problem of trafficking and encourage victims to seek help. Workshops and other events had been organized in cooperation with UNHCR in order to build the capacity of public institutions to address the scourge. A cooperation agreement had been signed with 16 major NGOs in order to enhance the involvement of civil society. 18. Greece engaged actively with neighbouring countries and countries of origin of trafficking, as illustrated by the conclusion by Greece and Albania in 2006 of the Bilateral Agreement on the Protection and Assistance of Child Victims of Trafficking. His Government was encouraged by the Special Rapporteur’s positive evaluation of measures taken thus far; his useful recommendations would be given careful consideration. The 4 GE.09-17372