The perspectives for a solution of the conflict in Ukraine were the focus of the first official visit of the President of the Republic of Poland, Andrzej Duda, to the Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fra’ John Dunlap. The meeting coincided with the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and follows the visit of the Grand Master to Warsaw last year.

The two leaders shared their great concern about the current global crises, in particular the human cost of the conflict in Ukraine. Expressing his deep appreciation for the Order of Malta’s humanitarian activities, President Duda said: “I believe that the work that the Order of Malta carries out in Poland and in the world will also, with our Polish support, grow and expand, bringing good to the whole world.” Grand Master Fra’ John Dunlap added: “Our humanitarian collaboration testifies to this common commitment, especially towards the most vulnerable. I am confident that this cooperation will continue to develop, particularly in those areas where our activities can be integrated with the Polish health system and be of even greater support”.

In recognition of outstanding achievements in developing cooperation between the Republic of Poland and the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, President Duda awarded the Grand Master the highest honour of Poland, the Order of the White Eagle. After the exchange of decorations, Fra’ John Dunlap gave his best wishes to President Duda for the completion of his mandate and future activities, also expressing his gratitude to the First Lady, Mrs. Agata Kornhauser-Duda, for her commitment to social solidarity causes.

The Order of Malta in Poland

The diplomatic relations between the Sovereign Order of Malta and Poland were established on 9 July 1990. The birth of the Polish association of the Order dates back to 1920. After the World War II, Poland came under the occupation of the Soviet Union and the medical activity of the association was banned. Its activities were resumed in Warsaw on 14 October 1992.

The Order’s Polish Relief Corps has been providing assistance to the most vulnerable through a wide range of social programmes since 1990. Currently, some 1,200 volunteers and 360 employees in Poland are supporting the elderly, disadvantaged children, the disabled and refugees. In 2021, the Order of Malta supported communities affected by the migration crisis on the border between Poland and Belarus, and since the outbreak of the war in Ukraine it has stepped up its assistance to hundreds of thousands of victims in Ukraine itself and in neighbouring countries by providing medical care, food, shelter, clothing and psychological care.

See link to video https://youtu.be/vycdsT_ydeI.