On 11 January 2001, in the Magistral Palace in Rome, The Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, His Most Eminent Highness, Fra’ Andrew Bertie, granted solemn audience to the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Portugal, H.E. Pedro José Ribeiro de Menezes, for the presentation of the letters of credence by which he will be accredited to the Sovereign Order.

H.E.Ribeiro de Menezes thanked the Grand Master for the Order’s activities carried out in Portugal and the Grand Master, in his reply, noted the important role played by the new mission to further enhance the existing friendly and cooperative relations with Portugal. He highlighted the need to develop, together with the Portugal Overseas Territories, trilateral projects aimed at improving and developing health concerns.