Lead
The Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Order of Malta, H.E. Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo, received at the Magistral Palace in Rome the Palestinian Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Ms Varsen Aghabekian Shaheen, on a working visit to Italy. The meeting consolidated more than fourteen years of diplomatic and humanitarian cooperation between the Order of Malta and the State of Palestine.

A continuing partnership for the Palestinian people
In welcoming the Minister, the Grand Chancellor recalled the consistency of the Order’s humanitarian commitment in the Holy Land — from the Hospitaller work of Blessed Gerard, more than nine centuries ago, to the daily activity of the Holy Family Hospital of Bethlehem, and to the more recent engagement in Gaza through the joint mission with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem and Malteser International.

The Grand Chancellor stressed the importance of continuing to assist the Palestinian population — and in particular the citizens of Gaza City — by setting up an additional healthcare centre to expand the services already provided by the Mar Youssef Primary Health Care Clinic in Gaza City. He confirmed the Order’s firm intention to protect the humanitarian activities already underway in the Territories.

A word of gratitude from the Palestinian Government
Minister Aghabekian Shaheen expressed the extreme gratitude of the Palestinian Government for the Sovereign Order of Malta’s sustained support, and conveyed her deep appreciation for the humanitarian activities carried out in the country — singling out the engagement on the ground in Bethlehem and in Gaza, as well as the cooperation framework agreed in 2022 with the PICA.

Looking ahead
The two parties confirmed their willingness to expand healthcare assistance, particularly in Gaza, and to continue dialogue at the highest institutional level.

About the Order of Malta in Palestine
The Sovereign Order of Malta has maintained formal diplomatic relations with the State of Palestine since 20 July 2011. The seat of the Office is in Ramallah (No. 10, Aref Al-Aref Street, Al-Masayef Area) and it is currently led by H.E. Ambassador Michèle Burke Bowe. The Order of Malta is a sovereign subject of international law, recognised by more than 100 States.