June 8, 2012. (Romereports.com) At the top of Rome's Aventine Hill, is the Order of Malta's Magistral Villa. That's precisely where this historic signing took place. The document established official diplomatic relations between Cyprus and the Order of Malta.

The moment is historic for several reasons. One of them being that on July 1, Cyprus will assume the presidency of the European Union. In addition to that, the island of Cyprus and the Order of Malta have had strong bonds for centuries. For 200 years, from 1210 to 1421, the order of Malta had its government headquarters in Cyprus.


ERATO KOZAKOU-MARCOULLI
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cyprus
“Our historic bonds are so strong that- we had, and we have an obligation not only to establish these relations, but to strengthen them for our common causes. So for me, it is a particular honor. I'm here an I'm really very moved because I feel that I'm reconnecting our history, I'm reconnecting the past with the present.”

The signing of this agreement, means that ambassadors will be appointed from both Cyprus and the Order of Malta.

The Order of Malta is an organization held in high esteem for its charity and humanitarian work throughout the world.

In fact, even though it has no territory, it enjoys a status similar to that of a state. It's recognized, in international law, as having diplomatic relations with 104 countries in all corners of the world.

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