The Duke of Aosta, Ambassador of SMOM, Receives Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

The Duke of Aosta and Deputy Minister Sergey Vershinin. Photograph (c) SMOM.

On 27 July, Sergey Vershinin, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, was received by a delegation of the Order of Malta led by Ambassador Stefano Ronca, Secretary General for Foreign Affairs. The meeting took place in the Magistral Villa at Rome.

Numerous topics were addressed during the talks, which were held in an atmosphere of great cordiality. The topics discussed included the situation in the Middle East, that in North Africa, the phenomenon of migration, and the relations between the Russian Federation with the United States and the European Union.

During the meeting, the figure of Tsar Paul I, Grand Master of the Order of Malta between 1798 and 1801 and the moments in history that bind the Order of Malta to Russia were remembered. The intention was also reiterated to celebrate in 2022 the thirtieth anniversary of diplomatic relations that were established in 1992.

Currently, the Order of Malta in Russia runs social activities for needy and homeless families in Moscow and St. Petersburg; this work has been made even more essential in the light of the coronavirus pandemic crisis.

Another theme of the meeting is the possible participation of the Order of Malta in the "World Conference on Intercultural and Interreligious Dialogue: Working Together for Peace and Humanity" scheduled in St. Petersburg in May 2022. The exhibition on the Holy Shroud that will be inaugurated in Moscow next autumn thanks to the support of the Order of Malta in Germany.

The meeting was attended by the respective ambassadors, Alexander Avdeev for the Russian side and Prince Aimone of Savoy, Duke of Aosta, for the Sovereign Order of Malta. Also present was the Ambassador of the Order of Malta to the Holy See, Antonio Zanardi Landi.

The Duke of Aosta and Deputy Minister Sergey Vershinin. Photograph (c) SMOM.