On the table new cooperation and humanitarian-aid projects

The Chairman of the Foreign Policy Commission of the Italian Senate, Pier Ferdinando Casini, and the Director General of Italian International Cooperation, Ambassador Pietro Sebastiani, were received this morning in Rome in the Sovereign Order of Malta’s Embassy in Italy where they met the Order’s Grand Hospitaller, Dominique de La Rochefoucauld-Montbel, the Order’s Ambassador to Italy, Stefano Ronca, the Vice Diplomatic Adviser, Ambassador Daniele Verga, and the Head of Cabinet of Grand Hospitaller Ivo Graziani.

The theme of the meeting was cooperation in humanitarian aid between Italy and the Order of Malta. Besides the health and social care the Order of Malta provides daily in Italy through its three Grand Priories and medical facilities run by its Italian Association, the Italian Relief Corps’ heavy engagement in recent months in the central Italy earthquake areas was also highlighted.

The Order of Malta has currently two thousand medical and humanitarian projects in place in 120 countries. There are numerous programmes in the healthcare, social welfare and training sectors worldwide in which Italy and the Order of Malta can cooperate. Pooling some of the two parties’ projects in synergy would increase their effectiveness. The two parties have agreed on the need to explore further possible cooperation on specific projects.