The Grand Master of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Fra’ Matthew Festing, received in the Magistral Palace the President of the Republic of Togo, Faure Essozimna Gnassingbe.

“I would like to stress how happy Togo is to count the Sovereign Order of Malta, the oldest humanitarian order in the world, as its friend,” said President Gnassingbe, accompanied on this occasion by the Foreign Minister Elliott Ohin. “The Order of Malta is developing concrete projects in Togo for the disadvantaged. Following its hospitaller vocation it is combating disease and insecurity,” the President added.

During the talks, the Grand Master recalled the fruitful cooperation following the diplomatic relations established in 1973 between the Order of Malta and the Togolese republic. “After the Cooperation Agreement in 1978,” the Grand Master said, “the Order of Malta launched a series of health and humanitarian activities, including the hospital at Elevagnon in 1981, where some fifteen thousand medical examinations are carried out and 1 850 children born every year”. The Ordre de Malte France also runs dispensaries, health centres and a nursery school around the country.

“I’m certain that this visit will further strengthen our already fruitful cooperation,” the Grand Master added, praising the efforts made by the Togolese president to preserve peace, security, development and consolidate democracy.