The Embassy of the Sovereign Order of Malta in Ukraine celebrates 15 years of diplomatic relations with Ukraine and over 30 years of humanitarian work in the country. To honor these strong bonds, a conference was organized in Kyiv, on Tuesday 23 November. Held in one of the diplomatic seats of the Ukrainian government, among the participants were representatives of the Ukrainian and Order of Malta governments, the diplomatic corps accredited in Ukraine, as well as representatives of churches and journalists.

The Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo, sent a welcome address to all participants reiterating the ongoing full support of the Order of Malta to the victims of war. His words were echoed by the address given by the Grand Hospitaller of the Order of Malta, Fra’ Alessandro de Franciscis.

As the Grand Hospitaller noticed, the Order of Malta has been actively involved in supporting the internally displaced people in Ukraine since the outburst of the war nearly two years ago. The Order’s local relief organization provides basic help as well as psychosocial support in over 70 cities and towns all over the country.

The Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Yevhen Perebyinis, the Deputy Minister of Social Policy Iryna Postolovska, the Ambassador of Ukraine to the Sovereign Order of Malta Andriy Yurash and the Ukraine’s first Ambassador to the Order of Malta Tetiana Izhevska also participated in the conference.

Words of gratitude to the Ukrainian Government and authorities for these fruitful years of cooperation, were expressed by Antonio Gazzanti Pugliese di Cotrone, Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to Ukraine.