On Thursday, July 12, 2012, Mrs.Maria Otero, the Under Secretary from the US State Department responsible for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights accompanied by the U.S. Consul General in Istanbul, Mr. Scott Frederic Kilner and the Vice Consul Mr. Paul D. Palmer, paid a visit to Mr. Lakis Vingas, council member of the General Foundations Directorate for the non-Muslim foundations. The meeting took place at the premises of the Greek Community in Istanbul at Taksim Square and was attended by representatives of other minority groups such as Mr. İskender Şahingöz from the Armenian community, Mrs. Deniz Saporta and Mrs. Lisa Tavası from the Jewish community, Mr. Sait Susin from the Syriac and Mr. Costas Santaltzidis from the Greek community.

The visit aimed to update the Under Secretary regarding the current situation of Non-Muslim minorities in Turkey especially as regards to the enjoyment of their religious, property and educational rights.