The President on a State Visit to the Grand Master in
Rome
The President of Malta this morning made a State
Visit to the Sovereign Military Order of St John of Jerusalem, of
Rhodes and of Malta at its world headquarters in Rome as "witness
to the lasting bond that ties the names of the State and the Order, a
living testimony of a shared culture and belief."
Prof. Guido de Marco's State Visit to HMEH Fra
Andrew Bertie, Prince and Grand Master of the SMOM, comes at the close
of the Order's 900th anniversary celebrations. Speaking
after being bestowed with the Collar of the Order Pro Merito
Melitense, the President highlighted how both Malta and the SMOM
have evolved over the centuries and acquired identities of their own
through which they offer a significant contribution on a regional
level and beyond.
"Conscious of our values, we reach out beyond
borders both in a tangible material manner and on an intellectual
level, thus priding ourselves with being literally larger than our
geography … Today, Malta is no longer vying for the role of a
frontier fortress but is now a bridge of dialogue and understanding
for the whole of the Mediterranean region, a veritable crossroad of
civilisations."
The President said that all people of good will
share a mission in this new millennium – re-evaluating differences
with neighbouring and riparian States and cultures while looking to
the future with a renewed sense of hope in the knowledge that greater
spiritual and material prosperity will achieve an unprecedented degree
of peace and stability.
"The crusade today is against material and
spiritual poverty, against the uniformity of thought and the
indifference of conscience."
The President stated the mission of solidarity with
those in need can and must be given full support on both a national
and international level: "It is my strong belief that it is
possible to sustain the effort of those many who dedicate themselves
to others by providing them with the facilities of the structure of a
national organisation dedicated purposely to channelling these efforts
in a co-ordinated manner. On an international level, the example of
the Sovereign Order's efforts to assist the less fortunate in a
consistent and substantial manner throughout the world remains a
leading light. Malta looks forward to further co-operation with the
Order in this field as in others."
In his speech, the Grand Master made reference to
the historical agreement between the Order and Malta which extended
the lease of Fort St Angelo to 99 years with the privilege of
extra-territoriality: "The agreement, I feel, is a symbol of the
strength of our relationship and our desire to contribute together to
building a better world in which the respect of peace and the defence
of the rights of man are given absolute priority."
The President's State Visit to the SMOM coupled
with this agreement were defined by Fra Andrew Bertie as "opening
a new chapter in our reciprocal relations."
The Jubilee Year will see millions of pilgrims
flocking to Rome, sending a strong message of peace and brotherhood to
the people and for the defence of the faith "threatened, now,
perhaps more than ever before."
"The Order knows well that in this part of its
mission it can count on having at its side as an ally the Republic of
Malta, which has already contributed so much to this cause and is a
guide and example by its character which has ever marked its
actions," the Grand Master stated.
Fra Andrew Bertie expressed his hope that relations
between Malta and Order will be strengthened "by uniting our
efforts and perhaps making use of the ever-increasing diplomatic
relationships which we maintain with so many countries of the
world."
Prof. de Marco was accompanied by Mrs de Marco, the
Minister of Foreign Affairs Joe Borg, the Ambassador of Malta to the
SMOM Chev. Jimmy Farrugia and the Secretary to the Cabinet Mr Alfred
Fiorini Lowell.
The Grand Master's delegation included the Count
Don Carlo Marullo di Condojanni, Prince of Casalnuovo and Grand
Chancellor of the Order, Dr Francesco Guariglia, secretary general for
International Affairs of the Order and the Ambassador of the Order to
Malta Prince Sforza Mariscotto Ruspoli.
The President returns to Malta on Monday 17th
January.
