Prime Minister’s thanks to Order of Malta for supporting activities in Lithuania

Earlier today, Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius met with Mr. Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager, Grand Chancellor of Sovereign Order of Malta to thank him for the work the Order of Malta has been doing in Lithuania.

“I am sincerely grateful to the Order of Malta and you personally for the aid we received when we needed it most – back  in 1991, January the 13th”,  said the Head of Government. “And this year, thanks to you the Order of Malta ambassadors are gathering together in Lithuania, and Vilnius has been chosen as the place for a regional operational centre”.

According to the Prime Minister, the Order of Malta is our very important partner in projects like special emergency aid, medical care, and fight against poverty.

The Grand Chancellor of the Order of Malta welcomed the fact that the Lithuanian population is positive about volunteering and is closely involved in charity and donor events.

As pointed out by the Prime Minister, the Government appreciates people devoting their time, experience and knowledge for the sake of public interest.

“This is the reflection of the Order of Malta and other non-governmental organizations operating in our country. Your activities directly contribute to promoting socialization, citizenship and volunteerism”, said the Prime Minister.

The Prime Minister briefed the Grand Chancellor of the Order of Malta on Lithuania’s development cooperation and democracy promotion policies, and discussed the ways to promote voluntary and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Lithuania. The interlocutors mentioned the possibility of a bilateral cooperation agreement, which would step up cooperation in support of non-governmental organizations, civic and communal initiatives aimed to involve more people and providing for the best possible conditions to operate in this regard.

The Order of Malta or the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John is a global Christian organization offering assistance to the poor and the sick, regardless of their racial or religious affiliation. At present, the Order operates in 120 countries, providing humanitarian aid and charitable work through 80, 000 volunteer helpers and 15 000 health workers. Lithuania currently has more than 1,200 nurses and young Maltese volunteers, brought together in groups across 40 cities and towns.