The State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Stanislav Raščan was received today at the Magistral palace by the Secretary General for Foreign Affairs of the Order of Malta, Amb. Stefano Ronca.

During the meeting a cooperation agreement was signed enabling a further development of the social and humanitarian activities of the Order in the country, in the health and social field. The Order of Malta has many running programmes in Slovenia, carried out by its National Association, its relief corps and the Embassy. These projects focus primarily on first aid service (especially at pilgrimage sites), medical and social assistance, supply of water and electricity to Roma communities, distribution of sleeping bags and clothing to needy people, donations of medical equipment, distribution of food and hygiene products.

Satisfaction for the signature of the cooperation agreement was expressed by the Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Albrecht Boeselager who attended the ceremony.

Stanislav Raščan thanked the Order of Malta, its Slovenian Association and its Embassy in Ljubljana for the important contribution made to his country over the years, both for the numerous social services carried out in favour of the population, but also more recently during the Covid-19 emergency and the Ukrainian refugee crisis.

During the talks, the excellent bilateral relations were emphasised. The war in Ukraine and the efforts of the Republic of Slovenia and of the Order of Malta to help refugees and mitigate the consequences of the conflict were the focus of the meeting.

Diplomatic relations between the Order of Malta and Slovenia were established in 1992, so this year marks the 30th anniversary. Over the years many high-level visits have been exchanged, the last in 2019 at the level of heads of States.