Rome, 23 May 2025 – To stress the importance of a multilateral approach to address global challenges and promote peace, security and human rights. These were the main issues addressed this morning by the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Rossen Jeliazkov, and the Grand Chancellor of the Order of Malta, Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo. The two delegations met at the Magistral Villa on the Aventine Hill.

This is the second visit of Prime Minister Jeliazkov to the Sovereign Order of Malta, after that in 2023 when he was Speaker of the National Assembly, within a framework of strong diplomatic relations, officially launched in 1994 and confirmed by the exchange of many high-level visits over the years.

Grand Chancellor Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo expressed “our deepest gratitude for the constant support that the Bulgarian authorities have constantly offered to our diplomatic representation in its humanitarian mission in your country,” certain that the meeting “will contribute to further develop our cooperation, for the benefit of all those in need, in the spirit of our common principles and values.”

The Prime Minister and the Grand Chancellor discussed some of the challenges facing the world, in particular the increasing number of armed conflicts. “I am glad,” added Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo, “that Bulgaria shares with the Order the need for a multilateral approach to build peace and achieve and maintain global security and stability.”

The Order of Malta in Bulgaria

The Sovereign Order of Malta is active in Bulgaria through numerous programmes for the most vulnerable groups. Its humanitarian aid is expressed in the distribution of medicines, food, clothing and school supplies, as well as the donation of ambulances and medical equipment. The Order supports schools, orphanages, care homes for the elderly, shelters and centres for disabled people, also offering hot meals in winter, vocational training courses, sports events and summer camps on the Black Sea for disadvantaged children. In partnership with a national health organisation, it is planned to open a health and rehabilitation centre in Sofia offering its services free.