site.btaPresident Radev: "We Value Highly the Order's Presence in Bulgaria"

December 12 (BTA) - "We value highly the presence of the
Sovereign Order of Malta in Bulgaria and its humanitarian work
in supporting those in need," said President Rumen
Radev on Thursday. This was part of his welcoming address to
Grand Master of
 the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fra' Giacomo dalla Torre del
Tempio di Sanguinetto, who is on a two-day official visit in
Bulgaria on President Radev's invitation.

The President and the Grand Master had a tete-a-tete meeting at
the Presidency, followed by plenary talks of the official
delegations.

President Radev said it was an honour to receive the Grand
Master of the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John
 of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta - one of the oldest
Christian orders, established in one of the oldest Christian
states. President Radev evaluated the visit as a stepping stone
in the development of the bilateral relations and said that he
and the Grand Master have discussed a range of topics of mutual
interest.

This is the second official visit of a Grand Master of the Order
 to Bulgaria. Fra' Giacomo dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto
 said that he and President Radev have talked about the
situation in the region and Bulgaria's role in preserving
stability and peace. They have also discussed the Order's active
 work, through its embassy in Bulgaria, for 25 years running,
supporting the most underprivileged brackets of Bulgarian
population.

As a token of commitment, the Grand Master pointed to the
donations that will be unveiled tomorrow in his presence: an
ambulance, an echograph and a neurosensory stimulator "Nirvana"
for the St. Sofia cerebral palsy rehabilitation clinic in the
capital.

The two top officials have also talked about migration: a very
important topic, given Bulgaria's location as one of the
gateways to Europe. The Sovereign Order of Malta is strongly
committed to helping countries struggling with migration-related
 challenges. The Grand Master pointed out that the Order is
working with the migrants' countries of origin, with the ones
they pass through, and is helping the migrants' integration at
their destinations. He added that there are multiple areas where
 bilateral cooperation with Bulgaria can be developed further.

Before the official addresses, in the presence of President
Radev and Grand Master di Sanguinetto, a commemorative post
stamp was validated, marking the 25th anniversary of diplomatic
relations between Bulgaria and the Sovereign Order of Malta.

Meeting with National Assembly Chair Tsveta Karayancheva later
on Thursday, Grand Master di Sanguinetto confirmed the Order's
willingness to continue working in support of the Bulgarian
people, especially the people in need. He and his team were
impressed with Bulgaria's openness to resolving all social
issues. In his words, in Bulgaria there is a balance in the
relations between different religions, which is a prerequisite
for lasting peace in the world. RI/MT