Europe is facing a "difficult" moment in history but Italy can and will rise to the challenges which the continent is facing, Italy's industry and welfare minister and deputy premier Luigi Di Maio said on Friday.
"It is a difficult moment for Europe and we must make some rapid choices," Di Maio said on the sidelines of a conference in Milan.
Di Maio cited Germany's economic slowdown as an example of the tepid growth being achieved in the euro-area.
"We need to be able to handle the problems that Europe is currently experiencing and we are sure that Italy will cope," he added.
Di Maio cited a decree issued by the populist government on Thursday to kick-start growth in recession-hit Italy, the eurozone's third-largest economy, which has slipped into a fresh recession and it forecast to barely grow this year.
Di Maio's grassroots 5 Star Movement and its far-right League coalition partner have often criticised EU governance and previously campaigned for Italy to leave the euro. But Italy has no intention of questioning the future of the euro zone or leaving the European Union in an "Italexit", according to Di Maio.
