The European Hospitallers of the Order of Malta, who are responsible for all medical and humanitarian activities of the Grand Priories and National Associations, have met in Prague for the first day of their annual conference to review the Order of Malta’s works across Europe.  Over 50 delegates from more than 24 countries are taking part until Sunday in what is the Order of Malta’s 19th European Hospitallers Conference.  The meeting is being held to review the medical, social and humanitarian projects developed by the Order of Malta on the continent, to identify priorities, exchange information and establish the best practices. Attending the conference are the representatives of the three associations of the Order in the U.S. and of the diplomatic missions of the Order of Malta to the United Nations in New York and Geneva.

The meeting is being presided over by Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager, Grand Hospitaller of the Order of Malta, and is being attended by all ministers of the Order’s Government.

The Conference was opened on Thursday afternoon, 15th March, by the Board Meeting of the Worldwide Relief Agency of the Order of Malta for Humanitarian Aid, Malteser International.  At the same time the Secretary Generals of the Order of Malta volunteer corps in Eastern Europe have met. They include Albania, Czech Republic, Hungary, Lithuania, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine.