Niko Peleshi receives the Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fra' John Dunlap

2026-03-19 13:35:00, Aktualitet CNA

Niko Peleshi receives the Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of

The Speaker of the Parliament, Niko Peleshi, received today in an official meeting the Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fra' John Dunlap, and the delegation accompanying him, in the context of strengthening bilateral relations and cooperation.

During the meeting, Peleshi praised the fruitful relations between Albania and the Sovereign Order of Malta, describing them as a clear evidence of stable and growing friendship and cooperation. He expressed gratitude for the continuous support that the Order has provided to Albania, especially in important sectors such as health, education, social development, assistance to communities in need, emergency response and civil protection.

The focus of the talks was also the further expansion of cooperation in important sectors such as education, culture, health and humanitarian programs, with the aim of increasing the joint contribution to strengthening understanding, friendship and the protection of peace.

The Speaker of the Parliament emphasized that Albania represents an excellent example of interfaith coexistence and harmony, underlining that this is a historically inherited value and a key element of stability and security in the region and beyond. In this context, he also brought to attention the figure of Mother Teresa, as a symbol of compassion and dedication to the weakest, values ??that are consistent with the humanitarian mission of the Order of Malta.

The parties expressed their willingness to further intensify cooperation through the completion of the legal framework, which will enable the expansion of the activity of the Order and its operational structure, Malteser International, in Albania.

Also, the concrete cooperation that led to the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in Tirana on February 11, 2026, between the Order and the Ministry of Defense, was appreciated as an important step towards strengthening the partnership in the field of civil defense and military medicine.

The meeting underlined the joint commitment to practical cooperation in emergency management, search and rescue operations, medical support in crisis situations, and joint training in emergency medicine.

In conclusion, President Peleshi reiterated Albania's role as a factor of stability in the Balkans and appreciated the support of the Sovereign Order of Malta for our country's membership in the European Union, the organization of joint awareness-raising activities for Albania's rapid integration, as well as for the contribution to strengthening peace and security in the region and beyond./ CNA