The Joint Committee that was formed in 1995 as the result of an agreement between the Order of Malta and the Cuban government met in Rome on May 2-3. The purpose of the meeting, which was held in the main office in Palazzo Magistrale, was to update the situation of the distribution of food and health aids collected in the United States by the American Federal Association of the Order of Malta Task Force and sent to Cuba by the Embassy of the Order.

The Commission meets every year, alternating between Cuba and Italy.

The meeting was chaired by the two delegations, respectively by Cuban Minister Rodrigo Malmierca, in charge of investments and development cooperation, and by the Secretary General of Foreign Affairs of the Order of Malta, Ambassador Alessandro Quaroni.

During the course of the meeting a joint protocol was agreed upon that reaffirms the procedures for sending and distributing medicines, medical supplies and foodstuffs to Cuba, to be given to the Cuban populace. Moreover, certain agreements undertaken with CIOMAL (International Committee of the Order of Malta] were confirmed. Said agreements refer to collaboration between Cuban medical personnel and the Order’s medical institutions that are specialized in treating leprosy, which will also be extended to other countries.