On the occasion of the Solemnity of St. John the Baptist, His Most Eminent Highness the Prince and Grand Master Fra’ John Dunlap and the Sovereign Council of the Order of Malta granted the honour of the Cross with Crown pro Merito to the Consul General of Italy in Vlorë, Mrs. Iva Palmieri. The ceremony took place in the presence of the Deputy Consul General of Italy in Vlora, Antonio Rapisardi, Knight of Magistral Grace of the Order of Malta; the Counselor of the Embassy of the Order of Malta to Albania, Massimo Fantechi; and and many friends who travelled from Vlorë to join the ceremony such as the President of the Vlore Chamber of Commerce, Mr. Arben Breshani, the Advisor to the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Flamur Mamaj, and others.

During her years at the head of the Italian Consulate in Vlora, Consul Palmieri has honoured the Order of Malta’s mission in Albania with deep respect and special attention. The high recognition was granted for her commitment in supporting the Order’s diplomatic activities in the south of the country, in a spirit of sincere cooperation with the charitable activities of our Sovereign Order, but also for her sincere and profound demonstration of friendship, hospitality and respect for our history and our present in the land of the eagles.

On the occasion of the first World Day of the Order of Malta, celebrated in Shkodër on the 14th of October 2023 Consul Palmieri promoted another initiative in collaboration with the Embassy of the Order of Malta in Albania, to celebrate this historic day in Vlore, hosted by the Italian Consulate, demonstrating a profound sensitivity for the links between our Order and Italy.