On 31 May 2001, in the Magistral Palace in Rome, 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 and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, H.E. Ignacio Quintana, for the presentation of letters of credence, by which he will be accredited to the Sovereign Order.

Recalling his visit to Venezuela, where he was able to observe at first hand the activities carried out by the Government to promote respect for the population’s freedom and dignity, the Grand Master pointed out the important role played by the new mission in enhancing the existing relations between the Order and Venezuela for the peace process in the country.