Russia highly assesses humanitarian activity of Maltese Order

Russia highly assesses the humanitarian activity of the Sovereign Maltese Order (SMO). This was revealed by the Russian Foreign Ministry on the eve of the tenth anniversary of restoring official relations between Russia and the Order of Malta.

The SMO's humanitarian activity is carried out by way of targeted assistance to specific hospitals, orphanages, the elderly homes and especially impoverished people.

The total volume of such assistance in Russia amounts to 0.5 million euros per year. In particular, the Foreign Ministry reported, the Russian Office of the Maltese Order which operates in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Smolensk and Kaliningrad has a high record. Many initiatives of the Order are realised in concert with the Russian Orthodox Church.

The SMO is a special subject of international relations. Though not being a state, it, none the less, boasts sovereignty and maintains official or diplomatic ties with 90 countries all across the world and also has observers and delegates in many international organisations, including the Council of Europe, the Commission of the European Community, UNESCO and others. The SMO has the status of a UN permanent observer.

The major domain of the Order's international activity is the humanitarian sphere. The Order actively co-operates with many countries in the medical area, including in hospital construction, assistance to the least socially secure people regardless of their nationality, religion and social origin.