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Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi on Tuesday pledged his government's full support for the Expo Milano 2015 following a string of corruption arrests related to the world exposition.
"I am here to say that the government will do its part," Renzi said in a meeting with the local business community after visiting the headquarters of the expo's organizing agency in Milan.
Renzi said Italy will not forgo what he called an "amazing opportunity" for his country.
"In a year's time, Milan will be able to win the expo's challenge to bring Italy out of the crisis and out of the anxiety," he stressed.
Seven people, including officials, were arrested last week on charges of fraud in bids related to the six-month event, which is expected to attract billions euros in combined public and private investments.
After the arrests, Renzi established a task force of lawyers and experts, led by anti-mafia magistrate and president of the national anti-corruption authority Raffaele Cantone, to watch on the world exposition.
In response to calls from opposition parties for Italy to cancel the Expo Milano 2015, Renzi stressed on Tuesday that the government must not stop public works when faced with crime.
"The negative logic of those who say let's annul the expo is unacceptable," the prime minister said. "The State is bigger and stronger than the thieves," he added.
