On 12 March 2001, His Most Eminent Highness the Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Fra’ Andrew Bertie, granted solemn audience to the Extraordinary Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Afghanistan, H.E. Abdulwahab Assefi, for the presentation of letters of credence by which he will be accredited to the Sovereign Order.

While remembering that the Order of Malta has always followed the vicissitudes of that war-stricken country, the Grand Master pointed out that the new mission of the Ambassador represents the start of a cooperation aimed at strengthening the principles of solidarity and brotherhood.