The Grand Chancellor of the Order of Malta, Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo, received this morning at the Magistral Palace Mamadou Tangara, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of The Gambia.

Besides the delicate situation in the Sahel after the coup d’état in Niger, the Order of Malta’s humanitarian projects in the West African country were discussed. The Order is already present in several neighbouring countries, and notably Senegal. The Grand Chancellor and Minister Tangara have agreed to initiate the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and the Republic of The Gambia. Accordingly, a declaration of intent was signed at the end of the meeting.

Foreign Minister Tangara also expressed interest in the healthcare and humanitarian aid activities that could be launched by the Order of Malta in his country, one of the smallest in the African continent.

Finally, the importance of interreligious dialogue was reiterated in a country, such as The Gambia, with a Muslim majority and where the Catholic minority represents only 3.5% of the population. In this regard, the Gambian minister stressed the conditions of stability and peaceful coexistence in his country.