OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ABOUT DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS BETWEEN KMFAP AND THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF TIMOR-LESTE

The Magisterial House of the Sovereign Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, Knights of Malta, Federation of the Autonomous Priories ( KMFAP ) has the honor of announcing that, by official note of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Democratic Republic of East Timor, dated from the 16th of April 2009, the Timorese Government approved and gave "agrement" to the name of Dr. Sir Rui Botica Santos for Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Our Sovereign Order and State in front of the Government of East Timor.

By this important step Our Sovereign Order and State will start at once to extend to this country of the Southeast Asia, its Assistencial, Humanitarian and Hospitaller activity, in favor of those who are ill, poor and in need.

His Excellency Ambassador Sir Rui Botica Santos will present, in due time, his Credential Letters to the President of the Democratic Republic of East Timor, His Excellency Dr. José Ramos Horta ( Nobel Peace Prize 1996 ), but will start from this date on, his activity and the preparation of a program of activities to be presented to the Government of East Timor.

Magisterial House on the 28th day of April of the year of our Lord of 2009