PM Ciolacu meets Order of Malta's Grand Chancellor in Rome

  The evolution of bilateral diplomatic relations, the sustained humanitarian activity of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (SMOM) in Romania, the situation of the population affected by conflicts in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, and peace solutions for these regions were the main topics approached during Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu's meeting on Wednesday, in Rome, with the Order's Grand Chancellor Riccardo Paterno di Montecupo, a government statement informs.Ciolacu began on February 14 a two-day working visit to Rome.The prime minister hailed the almost a century-long diplomatic relations between Romania and the Sovereign Order of Malta, and emphasized the shared attachment to the same humanitarian principles and values and in support of peace.He also expressed his appreciation for the humanitarian activity conducted by the Order in Romania, through the assistance offered to several vulnerable categories - elderly, sick, children with disabilities, needy families, but also through the expertise in the management of emergency situations such as floods and snowfalls, as the Maltese Relief Service in Romania is recognized as a partner by the domestic Emergency Management Department."The mobilization of the Order in Romania during the COVID-19 pandemic was also exemplary, and I would like to thank SMOM ambassador Musneci and his team for the countless gestures of solidarity in support of the vulnerable, and of the medical personnel in our country," the head of the Bucharest Executive said, as cited in the release.He also mentioned the involvement of the Order's volunteers in supporting Ukrainian refugees, through assistance offered to the Romanian authorities at the border crossing points and through other actions."There is need for sustained and predictable support at all levels, for Ukraine, the victim of a Russian aggression that runs afoul of international and humanitarian law. We further rely on the voice of the Sovereign Order of Malta in multilateral forums to stop the Russian aggression and support Ukraine. We call on the SMOM to continue to speak in favor of compliance with international law and the protection of the civilian population," Marcel Ciolacu emphasized in this context.Last but not least, the prime minister insisted on Romania's openness to carrying out experience exchanges with the SMOM in the field of humanitarian assistance, an area of excellence of the Order, as Romania is in full process of streamlining its development and humanitarian assistance international cooperation policy, and addressed Grand Chancellor Riccardo Paterno di Montecupo the invitation to visit Romania.Accompanying Prime Minister Ciolacu on the Romanian delegation were Deputy Prime Minister Marian Neacsu and Foreign Minister Luminita Odobescu.The Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta was accompanied by Giampaolo Cantini, Secretary General for Foreign Affairs, and by SMOM ambassador to Romania Roberto Musneci.