The solidity of bilateral diplomatic relations, the consolidation of humanitarian cooperation in Lithuania, the management of global crises and the establishment of the Delegation of the Baltic States as the embryo of a future National Association were the focus of today’s talks at the Magistral Villa between the Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania, Inga Ruginienė, and the Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo.
During the meeting, which took place in an atmosphere of great cordiality, the Grand Chancellor extended a warm welcome to the Prime Minister on his first visit to the Order, expressing great satisfaction at the excellent state of diplomatic relations. These latter were initiated on 9 July 1992 and have been consolidated through an intensive exchange of visits at the highest levels and increasingly structured cooperation, especially in the humanitarian sector. In this context, the next official visit of Grand Master Fra’ John Dunlap to Vilnius, scheduled for 8 June 2026 at the invitation of President Gitanas Nausėda, was recalled. On this occasion, the Grand Master will also speak at the 6th World Apostolic Congress on Mercy on June 7th.
The talks also provided an opportunity for an exchange of views on key international scenarios. With reference to the war in Ukraine, now in its fourth year, deep concern was shared over the great human suffering caused by the conflict, confirming the need for a peace founded on respect for international law, sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Sovereign Order of Malta recalled its firm commitment to support the Ukrainian population through a network of over 60 care centres and innovative projects, including psychological support for those affected by war trauma. The situation in the Middle East was also addressed, expressing alarm about the spread of the ongoing conflict and the risks it poses to civilian populations and to regional and world economies.
The Prime Minister repeatedly emphasised the importance of supporting volunteering as a tool for social integration, seeing the Order of Malta as a reliable partner. A common desire was therefore revealed to further strengthen cooperation in the field of crisis management and prevention, building on the experience gained by the Order’s relief corps in Lithuania in first-aid training, civil protection, and coordination with public authorities. From that perspective, it was emphasized how a closer integration of the expertise of structured voluntary organizations into national emergency response mechanisms could contribute significantly to the resilience of society.
The Order’s Relief Corps in Lithuania
The Maltos Ordino Pagalbos Tarnyba (MOPT), founded in 1991 and now active in 45 localities with over 2,000 volunteers –including hundreds of young people– and 168 employees, manages a complex network of services for the elderly, through retirement homes, day centres, home care and the “Meals on Wheels” programme, which guarantees daily meals and support to hundreds of lonely or fragile people. The organization also runs day centres for children and adolescents from disadvantaged backgrounds, initiatives to accompany young people towards autonomy, services dedicated to people with disabilities and first-aid training programmes, particularly through the involvement of young people. Also notable is the commitment to responding to recent emergencies, ranging from the pandemic to the migration crisis on the border with Belarus to assisting Ukrainian refugees, who since 2022 have been provided with thousands of services, including social counselling, psychological support, language courses, and humanitarian aid.
