Slovak President Peter Pellegrini thanked the Knights of Malta for their help in Slovakia. The meeting with the Grand Master of the Order brought commitments to deepen cooperation.
Slovak President Peter Pellegrini visited the Sovereign Order of the Knights of Malta on Thursday as part of a business trip to Rome, Italy. He thanked the representatives of the order for their work and help in Slovakia in the fields of education, healthcare and social services. He met with the Grand Master of the order Fra’ John Dunlap, who plans to visit Slovakia next year. TASR was informed about this by the Office of the President of the Slovak Republic.
In short:
- President Pellegrini visited the Sovereign Order of the Knights of Malta in Rome
- He appreciated the help of the order in the field of education and social services
- The Grand Master of the order plans to visit Slovakia next year
“The President of the Slovak Republic visited the Supreme Order of the Knights of Malta as the first Slovak head of state in twenty years. Slovakia and the Order of Malta share common Christian values and concern for people in need. Therefore, Grand Master Dunlap plans to personally visit Slovakia next year, which will allow us to deepen our cooperation, for example in the field of humanitarian aid to third countries,” the presidential office said.
Cooperation with the Order of Malta
At Thursday’s meeting, they talked about the work and activities of the order in Slovakia. Among other things, the Slovak president praised the founding of the Slovak Society of the Order of Malta last year. He highlighted the long-term efforts of the Order of Malta in the defense of international humanitarian law, the protection of the civilian population and the promotion of religious freedom. According to Pellegrini, it corresponds to our own foreign policy priorities.
Support of Ukraine
The situation in Ukraine was also a topic. In this context, the Slovak head of state drew attention to the fact that the Slovak Republic supports “all serious and diplomatic efforts leading to the achievement of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace”. At the same time, she pointed to the ongoing assistance to Ukraine from the Slovak Republic, especially through financial support and targeted energy assistance.
Advent concert and historical monument
On Thursday evening, Pellegrini also participated in the opening of the exhibition of indulgences in the premises of our representative office, which is connected with the Advent concert. In his speech, he highlighted the need to unite and “build bridges”. He informed that the Slovak ambassador to the Vatican, Juraj Priputen, managed to obtain for Slovakia one brick from the Holy Gate in the Basilica of St. Peter. He handed it over to Bratislava Archbishop Stanislav Zvolenský, who is to decide on its location.
