The Minister for Education, Culture and Sport visits the Spanish Pavilion at Expo Milano 2015

After touring the pavilion, Iñigo Méndez de Vigo made a statement to the media in which he expressed his satisfaction because "the Spanish Pavilion has exceeded the anticipated number of visitors, with nearly 2 million visits so far, with a month and a half of the expo still to come. The reality is that the pavilion shows what Spain is today, a great country with a long tradition and at the same time a modern vision; with a gastronomy in which its chefs are pioneers, that cares for its products and that is concerned with food that is both sustainable and focuses on solidarity."

He added that "this pavilion shows the wealth and diversity of our country. It appears to me that it is an extraordinary pavilion and that is why we are posting attendance records and it has become one of the most highly rated."

Run by Spanish government cultural agency Acción Cultural Española (AC/E), the Spanish Pavilion houses the permanent exhibition "The Language of Taste" and an artistic installation by Antoni Miralda called "The Journey of Taste". It has had a full programme of activities focused on gastronomy, agribusiness and culture.

During the Minister's visit he met the chef from La Rioja, Francis Paniego, who is a participant in the "Innovation and Gastronomic Excellence" programme organised by the Basque Culinary Centre and Acción Cultural Española, and who were due to give a talk on Tuesday.

"Gastronomic Innovation and Excellence" aims to project Spanish products and gastronomy around the world as examples of sustainability, health and quality, covering the diversity and variety of products and cooking techniques used in Spain. Other chefs who have visited the Spanish Pavilion apart from Francis Paniego have included Joan Roca, Andoni Luis Adúriz, Elena Arzak and Carme Ruscalleda.

At the end of his visit, the Minister visited the pavilions of Italy, France, Austria and Mexico.