Secretary-General's press encounter at the National Museum of Iraq

It is impossible to come to this museum and not to feel that here was the birth of civilization and here we have found different demonstrations of how rich the culture of Iraq was during millennia. The old kingdoms of empires, the Abbasid Caliphate, where culture flourished when Europe was still largely a barbarian area and where even the tradition - the Greek classic tradition - was rescued and came afterwards back to Europe. So the contribution of Iraq to world civilization, to world culture, is absolutely outstanding. So I'm here to pay tribute to all those that are working in this museum, preserving it in the difficult times that Iraq has faced some years ago, which allow us to be able to contemplate the magnificent culture and history of this wonderful country.

Thank you very much.