Excellency, Mr President,
I wish to express to you my deepest appreciation and heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome that you and Panama have so generously shown to me and the Sovereign Order as well as for this great honour bestowed on me today.
In this regard, I am very glad to recall that we are currently celebrating seventy-five (75) years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Panama and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. I am truly pleased to be commemorating here with you such an important milestone that has been happily and successfully reached.
From 1948 until now, our reciprocal esteem has been intensified by the exchange of official and protocol visits of our highest authorities, as well as by the good understanding and cooperation in the diplomatic and humanitarian fields.
Indeed, these mutual feelings have been strengthened by the social and solidarity actions developed by our National Association and our Embassy in coordination with local entities and communities mainly in the health and food security fields. Our aim is not only to continue these projects, but also to look for new possibilities to expand our collaboration with your country.
In this respect I am happy to announce that just this morning we inaugurated “Casa Malta” our Panamanian Association’s new beautiful and welcoming facilities where several projects of social impact will soon start for the benefit of the weakest and less fortunate. Moreover, in the Cathedral Basilica Santa María la Antigua an altar of our Sovereign Order has been consecrated. In a time when around the world we currently face many conflicts and serious natural catastrophes which have caused huge humanitarian crises, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta confirms its commitment to provide its contribution in alleviating human distress with both material and spiritual support.
Panama too, for its strategic position, has always been a link between the North and the South, and the East and the West. It has also invested to become a leading reference for humanitarian affairs as you are providing facilities inside the Panama Canal Authority, and a modern logistics centre, which will enable relief agencies and operators to deliver rapid responses to emergencies. Panama is therefore providing a fundamental element in assistance actions in the Americas. It is remarkable, and a great example of solidarity which we commend.
Our meeting today and the exchange of decorations at the highest level strengthen such excellent longstanding bonds of friendship existing between the Republic of Panama and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. I am therefore totally confident that our relationship and cooperation will most certainly benefit and grow in the future.
I wish to conclude by thanking you once more for your warm welcome and to convey my very best wishes for your personal wellbeing and for the peace and prosperity of all the dear people of Panama.
