The President of the National Council of the Slovak Republic Boris Kollár was received yesterday at the Magistral Palace by the Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo.

At the centre of the talks were the excellent diplomatic relations, which this year celebrate the 30th anniversary of their establishment. “I would like to thank the Slovak authorities, who over all these years have supported our organisation in the country – the Maltézska pomoc Slovensko – and our activities in the social and humanitarian spheres, as witnessed by the numerous exchanges of visits and the cooperation agreement signed in 2019. I particularly thank President Kollár for his personal interest in our operations on the border with Ukraine,’ the Grand Chancellor said at a press point after the meeting.

President Kollár wished to recall the second day after the outbreak of war in Ukraine. ‘Ukrainian refugees – especially women and children – began to crowd our border with Ukraine. I travelled there by helicopter. When I arrived, the Order of Malta volunteers were already at the border providing help and assistance. I saw them at work: they did an extraordinary job, for many months, day and night, even in temperatures that reached minus 20 degrees. To this day, I am still moved remembering your dedication and commitment. Your activities in my country are appreciated by everyone’.

Precisely to underline the commendable work of the Maltézska pomoc Slovensko, a joint stamp was issued between the Order of Malta and Slovakia celebrating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The stamp depicts a scene of a Ukrainian refugee family being received at the border by a Slovak volunteer of the Order of Malta.

With more than 150 members and volunteers, the Maltézska pomoc Slovensko runs numerous assistance programmes on a daily basis, such as meals on wheels for the disadvantaged elderly, a soup kitchen for the homeless, emergency medical services at major events, as well as activities and programmes for people with disabilities. Another focus of the Order of Malta’s work in Slovakia is the educational assistance programmes for Roma children and services for young Roma mothers.

At the end of the meeting Boris Kollár invited the Grand Master and the Grand Chancellor to visit the Slovak Republic.