The visit of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Panama, Francisco Álvarez De Soto, took place on 28 Aprile last in the Magistral Palace. Greeted by the Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Jean-Pierre Mazery, the meeting was held in an atmosphere of great cordiality.

During the talks the Panamanian Minister expressed the hope for a further strengthening of the excellent bilateral relations between the Sovereign Order of Malta and the Republic of Panama, established over 60 years ago.

Thanks to a cooperation agreement with the Panamanian Ministry of Education, the Order of Malta supplies equipment for some elementary schools in the country. It is also providing medical assistance to the inhabitants of the Darien province, on the borders with Colombia, and a clinic in Panama City offers medical and dental assistance to some 7000 persons.