One year anniversary of the start of the activities of the Order of Malta in Estonia

On Tuesday, June 18, a festive reception of the Embassy of the Order of Malta took place on the roof terrace of the high-rise building at Maakri 19/1, which celebrated one year anniversary of the start of the activities of the Order of Malta in Estonia.

The reception was attended by Monsignor Luis Manuel Cuña Ramos, Prelate of the Order of Malta, Bishop Philippe Jourdan, Apostolic Administrator of the Roman Catholic Church of Estonia, Metropolitan Stefanos of the Estonian Apostolic Orthodox Church, Bishops Ove Sander and Marko Tiitus of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Estonia, ambassadors and honorary consuls of several countries, entrepreneurs and non-profit organizations. representatives, members of the Foundation Council of the Order of Malta, contributors and volunteers and several other invited guests.

H.E. Manfred Mautner von Markhof, the Ambassador of the Order of Malta in Estonia could not attend the reception due to health reasons. Instead of him, the guests were welcomed by Indrek Petersoo, the administrator of the Embassy of the Order of Malta with his wife, and Alexander Tsikhilov, the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Order of Malta Foundation in Estonia. The Ambassador addressed the guests via video greeting, expressing his sincere pleasure and gratitude for the results achieved during the first year of operation, both for interstate relations and cooperation, and for the activities launched to support those in need.

The Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Rhodes and Malta, or the Order of Malta, is one of the oldest institutions in Western and Christian civilisation. Since 1113, the Order of Malta belongs to the Catholic Church and is also a subject of international law. The Order of Malta has diplomatic relations with 120 countries and the European Union and permanent observer status at the United Nations. The Order of Malta is neutral, impartial and apolitical.

The Order of Malta operates through 11 priories, 48 ​​national associations, 133 diplomatic missions, the global aid agency Malteser International and 33 national volunteer corps, as well as numerous hospitals, medical centres and special foundations. The mission of the Order of Malta is to help those in need regardless of their origin and social status. The Order has no economic or political goals and is not dependent on any other country or government.

The Republic of Estonia established diplomatic relations with the Order of Malta on March 10, 2020, after which the global corona pandemic put further activities on hold. On July 6, 2021, T.E. Manfred Ritter Mautner von Markhof handed over the power of attorney to the President of the Republic of Estonia, Kersti Kaljulaid, and became the first ambassador of the Order of Malta in Estonia. On May 12, 2023, the Order of Malta Foundation was established in Estonia, and on June 29 of the same year, the Embassy of the Order of Malta was opened in Tallinn.