President James Michel yesterday met the Prince and Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, His Most Eminent Highness Fra’ Matthew Festing.

“A natural affinity exists between the Order of Malta and the Republic of Seychelles. This affinity is based on shared ideas and values,” said Mr Michel during the meeting in the Palazzo Magistrale in Rome.

Fra’ Matthew described Seychelles as an example of how a developing country can successfully provide a good health system for its population.

The President and the Grand Master discussed ongoing cooperation in the health sector as well as the humanitarian role of the Order of Malta in the light of global crisis spots such as Somalia, Haiti and Madagascar.

Mr Michel praised the Order of Malta for the work it is doing in Seychelles and around the world.

“Seychelles will continue working strongly with the order in a people-centred development approach,” he said.

Fra’ Matthew conferred the Grand Cross of the Knightly Order, Special Class, pro Merito Melitensi, on President Michel, recognising the exceptional relations that exist between the two parties.

Established in 1920, the Knightly Order pro Merito Melitensi is given in recognition of activities that have conferred honour and prestige on the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. It is mainly awarded to non-members of the order.
 

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