On 9 October 2024, Ambassador of the Order of Malta to Romania, HE Roberto Musneci, paid a courtesy visit to Embassy of Montenegro to Romania upon invitation of the Chargé d’Affaires, Mr Dalibor Đurović.

During the meeting, Mr Đurović confirmed the excellent relations of the Order of Malta and Montenegro, and emphasised the important links the two sovereign entities share. The two further discussed the current situation in Romania and the wider region, and underscored the continued need to share best practice in emergency and disaster response, as well as other relief activities.

Following the meeting, Ambassador Musneci stated, “Montenegro, and the Embassy in Bucharest, are always extremely attentive to the activities performed by the Order. Mr Đurović highlighted his clear understanding of the historic and spiritual importance his country has with the Order.” Ambassador Musneci added, “The importance of the relationship between our Order and Montenegro can be further evidenced through the Holy Virgin of Philermos icon, which is preserved at the National Museum of Art of Montenegro in Cetinje. This ancient icon is of immense spiritual and historical importance to the Order. The members of the Order of Malta – as our predecessors have done over the centuries – continue to pray and to invoke the Holy Virgin of Philermos as our protector, and refer to her in the most difficult moments.”

Read more about the icon of Our Lady of Philermos: https://www.orderofmalta.int/about-the-order-of-malta/the-icon-of-our-lady-of-philermos

Note on diplomatic relations between the Order and Montenegro: Bilateral relations with the Sovereign Order of Malta had been maintained with the Union of Serbia and Montenegro since 2001. However, following the May 2006 referendum and 3 June 2006 Declaration of Independence of Montenegro, formal bilateral diplomatic relations were re-established on 5 September 2006 with the signature of a protocol in Podgorica.