In relation to news agency reports made this afternoon, Expo 2015 has issued the following statement.

The hypothesis of providing construction and fitting out services to Participant Countries for their Pavilions at the Universal Exposition has been fully examined across all locations, both informally and officially, starting with the Board of Directors of Expo 2015 S.p.A. (per the meeting of December 10, 2013).

This is an entirely routine procedure and a duty when explicit requests are made by Countries themselves. One such example is Argentina, the first country to make such a request, also in December 2013.

Other countries have subsequently initiated informal discussions of this kind.

Therefore any reference to activities that are not perfectly legal is totally inappropriate.

It must be also be added that to date, no such mandate has been issued by Expo 2015 S.p.A.

All Countries, are therefore taking it upon themselves to complete their Pavilions autonomously.

Expo 2015 S.p.A. and its directors will safeguard the integrity, without prejudice, of each location with absolute confidence in the judiciary and the entire body of controlling authorities.