The Grand Hospitaller of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Josef D. Blotz, visited Albania from 10 to 12 February 2026, accompanied by the Ambassador of the Order of Malta to Albania, Stefano Palumbo.

The visit provided the occasion for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Sovereign Order of Malta and the Republic of Albania in the field of civil protection and military medicine; the Grand Hospitaller and the Albanian Minister of Defence, Pirro Vengu, formalized the agreement.
It sets out practical cooperation in areas such as emergency response, search and rescue operations, medical support in crisis situations, and joint training activities in the field of civil protection as well as civil and military health training, focusing on emergency and urgent medicine. In this context a general mandate is given to CISOM, the Italian Relief Corps of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta.

During his stay in Tirana, the Grand Hospitaller met with the Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Mrs Evis Sala. Their discussion focused on cooperation in the areas of preventive medicine, preparedness for health crises, and support for vulnerable populations.

Josef D. Blotz also paid courtesy visits to Arjan Dodaj, Archbishop of Tiranë-Durrës and Conventual Chaplain ad honorem of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, and to Monsignor Ionuţ Paul Strejac, Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Apostolic Nunciature in Albania. The meetings focused on the humanitarian work of the Order in Albania and reaffirmed the close relationship with the Holy See, as well as the shared commitment to serving people in need.