TIRANA, March 19/ATA/ President Bajram Begaj held a meeting today with the Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta Fra’ John T. Dunlap.
During the talks, the president praised the successful and fruitful history of diplomatic relations between Albania and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, as evidence of very good and friendly relations.
The interlocutors expressed the common will for the further intensification of these relations.
The Head of State expressed his gratitude for the continuous assistance that the Sovereign Military Order of Malta has provided to Albania through projects in various fields, such as: health, education, social assistance, emergencies and civil protection, carried out by the volunteer corps of Malteser Albania, which has been operating in our country for 3 decades.
President Begaj also highlighted the harmonious spirit between beliefs and religions in Albania.
“This harmony is a historical legacy for Albania, which has set an example in this regard. With the same spirit of understanding, Albania has also built relations with its neighbors where it has a special role in the Balkan region for building very good relations and mutual trust”, he added.
The Sovereign Order of Malta encourages and supports Albania’s integration into the European Union and, in this context, President Begaj expressed his gratitude to Fra’ John T. Dunlap.
“However, a United Europe would be incomplete without Albania, Kosovo and other countries of the Western Balkans”, added Begaj.
In this context, the Head of State emphasized that he would highly appreciate the contribution of the Sovereign Order of Malta in further expanding the map of official recognitions of Kosovo’s independence, a contribution to security and lasting peace in the Balkans.
With the aim of further strengthening the already consolidated ties of friendship and cooperation between the Republic of Albania and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, President Begaj was honored with the Order of Malta’s “Collar Pro Merito Melitensi” by the prince.
On his part, President Begaj extended to the Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta Fra’ John T. Dunlap the “Supreme Order of the Eagle” with the “Grand Star”. /m.m/j.p/p.s./
