On 8 January 2020, the Ambassador of Latvia to the Sovereign Order of Malta, Elita Kuzma, presented her credentials to His Most Eminent Highness the Prince and Grand Master the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta, Fra' Giacomo Dalla Torre del Tempio di Sanguinetto. The Ambassador’s conversation with the Prince and Grand Master of the Order of Malta was attended by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Order of Malta, His Excellency Albrecht Freiherr von Boeselager.
The Grand Master offered congratulations to the Ambassador on the 25 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Order of Malta and the Republic of Latvia and he expressed interest in the exchange of high-level visits. The officials discussed bilateral cooperation and the importance of international law and human rights in the current circumstances. The Grand Master was interested in security in the Baltic region and Latvia’s relations with neighbouring countries.
Elita Kuzma underscored the international role of the Sovereign Order of Malta and its contribution to humanitarian issues and in mediation as the Order builds on its strong points – political independence and experience over centuries – to facilitate the alleviation of humanitarian problems and reconciliation in acute crises. The Ambassador thanked the Order of Malta for humanitarian assistance for disadvantaged people in Latvia, especially after the restoration of Latvia’s independence. During that period, the Sovereign Order of Malta invested EUR 7 million in various charity projects in Latvia.
The Sovereign Order of Malta is a major humanitarian assistance organisation of the Roman Catholic Church and simultaneously a sovereign subject of international law with the authority to establish diplomatic relations and enter into treaties. The Sovereign Order of Malta currently has an observer status in several international organisations. Official diplomatic relations established by the Sovereign Order of Malta have been rapidly increasing and, at present, the Order has diplomatic ties with 109 countries worldwide.
Elita Kuzma is the Ambassador of Latvia to the Holy See and she will reside in Riga.