Diplomatic relations between the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and the Republic of Montenegro were established today with the signature of a protocol in Podgorica.

On 21 May last, Montenegro achieved full independence from Serbia following a referendum. Hence the need to re-establish bilateral relations with the Order of Malta, relations that had been maintained with the Union of Serbia and Montenegro since 2001.

The agreement was signed in the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Republic of Montenegro by Ambassador Alberto Leoncini Bartoli, Diplomatic Counsellor of the Order, and by the Montenegrin Minister for Foreign Affairs, Miodrag Vlahovic.