News

On 12 September, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius met with the Grand Chancellor of the Order of Malta, Baron Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager, who is visiting Vilnius.

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister and the Grand Chancellor discussed prospects for cooperation between Lithuania and the Order of Malta, the Order of Malta’s humanitarian mission in Lithuania, as well as the international community’s efforts to address situations of humanitarian crisis that were caused by armed conflicts, migration, and military conflicts, particularly in Ukraine, the Middle East and North Africa.

Linkevičius thanked the Grand Chancellor for the Order of Malta’s humanitarian work in Lithuania, which it had done for more than 25 years and noted that the mutual ties had been strengthened a lot over these years.

“The Order of Malta began its work in Lithuania immediately after the restoration of our country’s independence. The people of the Order of Malta were in Lithuania during the tragic events of 13 January and provided the drugs that our hospitals were lacking. It was an invaluable aid to the people of Lithuania, which we will never forget,” said Lithuania’s Foreign Minister.

According to Linkevičius, during the 25 years of its existence in Lithuania, the mission of the Lithuanian Relief Organisation of the Order of Malta has greatly expanded and there are many young Lithuanians who became volunteers. The people of the Order of Malta play an important role in reducing social exclusion in Lithuania and in strengthening a tradition of social responsibility in our society,” said Lithuania’s Foreign Minister.

The Grand Chancellor is visiting Lithuania on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Lithuanian Relief Organisation of the Order of Malta. On this occasion, Lithuania was also visited by representatives of the Eastern and Central European Associations of the Order of Malta, and charity services. An international conference was also held to discuss cooperation between the public and non-governmental sectors, the promotion of the Order of Malta’s work with young European people, volunteering, and aid to refugees.

Today, the Lithuanian Relief Organisation of the Order of Malta has 1,200 volunteers in 40 towns in Lithuania, who help the poor, the old, people with disabilities, and children from disadvantaged families.