The Federal Minister for European and International Affairs of the Republic of Austria, Beate Meinl-Reisinger, met on 8 July 2025 with the Grand Chancellor of the Sovereign Order of Malta, Riccardo Paternò di Montecupo, and Grand Hospitaller Josef D. Blotz to exchange information. The Ambassador of the Sovereign Order of Malta to the Republic of Austria, H.E. Sebastian Prince von Schoenaich-Carolath, accompanied the talks in Rome.

The exchange of information, which took place in the Magistral Villa of the Order of Malta on the Aventine, focused on the situation in the Middle East, particularly in Palestine, Lebanon and Syria. Possibilities for cooperation were explored, especially with regard to the Order of Malta’s activities in Palestine, such as the Holy Family Hospital maternity clinic in Bethlehem and the humanitarian aid project in Gaza, which is being carried out in cooperation with the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

The Federal Minister praised the social and charitable activities of the Order of Malta in Austria and in the most important crisis areas worldwide.