This evening we celebrate the feast of St John the Baptist, the spiritual guide for the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem, Rhodes, and Malta through the values of humility and service.
The ties between Malta and the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order go back five hundred years, to the time when the Order ruled Malta for almost 300 years between 1530 and 1798.
This era represents a defining chapter in our history, for it has left an indelible cultural and architectural imprint that can still be experienced today just by walking through our towns and cities.
Valletta, the timeless city in which we find ourselves this evening, is perhaps the greatest testament to this. Built by the Knights following the Great Siege of 1565, it presently continues to serve as our Capital and is recognised by UNESCO as a world heritage site.
To this day, relations between Malta and the Sovereign Order remain strong, held firmly by the common values of compassion and humanity. The establishment of diplomatic relations in 1966 has laid the groundwork for the two sides to engage in practical cooperation in the humanitarian, social, and medical fields.
The signing of the 1998 agreement, through which the Government of Malta granted the Order the right to use Fort St Angelo for a period of 99 years as a seat to coordinate its humanitarian and international activities, stands as a testament to the special and historical bond that unites Malta and the Order.
Furthermore, the numerous State and high-level visits that have taken place over the years have contributed to further strengthening the excellent ties between the Republic of Malta and the Sovereign Order.
Ladies and gentlemen
At the present time, the world is very much in need of the light and renewal epitomised by the image of St John the Precursor.
It is only dialogue, mediation, and the striving of understanding of the other that can bring light and renewal to those people worldwide who are facing the dire consequences of wars, conflict, famine, droughts, and oppression. In particular, let us ensure that women, children, and other vulnerable groups are sheltered and protected from the scourge of war.
In Ukraine, the Order has been supporting around 4 million people by providing medical, social, and psychological assistance, as well as safe shelter for the displaced.
The Middle East, the region wherein the Order was originally founded, has been experiencing intensifying tensions which risk eroding hard-won political gains, further undermining the regions fragile stability, and exacerbating the regions humanitarian situation. The Order has been actively involved in delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon, distributing vital relief supplies and providing medical aid.
The Order’s efforts to this end can be seen through its unwavering dedication in the humanitarian field through disaster relief, refugee and migrant assistance, hospitals and medical facilities, and elderly and disabled care.
Through its humanitarian relief agency Malteser International, the Order continues offering humanitarian assistance in different parts of the world.
Malta has constantly advocated for unimpeded humanitarian and the importance of humanitarian organisations to be able to work independently and impartially to save lives and reduce suffering.
As a country that attaches great importance to international humanitarian law, Malta greatly appreciates these noble efforts. We commend such contributions to the international community, which translate the values professed by the Order into concrete and tangible action.
Over the years, Malta too has spared no effort to offer humanitarian assistance in these conflict-afflicted regions through regular financial and in-kind contributions, thereby alleviating the suffering of civilians.
Our solidarity has also been reflected in our various roles on the international stage in recent years, particularly the UN Security Council and the OSCE, where we have consistently advocated for the protection of children, women, and other vulnerable groups.
In this context, at a time where international humanitarian law is under undue strain, I stress once again that the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need, and access to those who are providing aid, must never be politicised. Humanitarian organisations and humanitarian aid workers must be allowed to carry out their operations in a free, safe, and unhindered manner.
We cannot have a world where the weak are trampled upon by the strong, as such a world would be detrimental to us all.
I remain firm in my belief that collectively, we must redouble our efforts to reverse this worrying trend, and make sure that diplomacy and multilateralism remain the primary methods to resolve disputes and ensure the maintenance of international peace and security.
Ladies and gentlemen
In closing, I reiterate my thanks and appreciation to His Excellency Prince Augusto Ruffo di Calabria, Ambassador of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John in Malta, for hosting us this evening. Malta looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the SMOM in the coming years.
On behalf of the people of Malta, I raise a toast to the continued well-being of His Most Eminent Highness Fra’ John Dunlap, Grandmaster of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes, and of Malta, and to the enduring friendship between the Republic of Malta and the Sovereign Order.