Secretary-General's press encounter at Dushanbe Airport before leaving Tajikistan (unofficial transcript)

SG: It's been an interesting visit. This is a country with lots of history, and my wife and I are very happy to be here. I've had very, very good discussions with the President and with the leaders of Parliament and other members of society.

The people we've met everywhere have been very friendly, as you saw this morning with the young students at the airport. And I am also pleased to see that peace taking hold and the Government and the people now want to focus on the essential issues of economic and social development.

I also visited the Drug Agency this morning, and I was quite impressed to see what is being done there. And it shows what one can do with cooperation –cooperation between the UN and Tajikistan, cooperation between UN, Tajikistan and other countries that are determined to fight drug trafficking.

My only regret is that the visit is far too short, and we couldn't go to the Pamir [region] or visit the lakes and the mountains.

As I leave, I wish the people of Tajikistan the best of luck. I wish them every success in their attempts to consolidate peace and develop their country. And I was very happy to see that the President is determined to move the nation in that direction as well as develop a government based on the rule of law and good governance.

My wife will give a minute of her impressions.

Nane Annan: I am also very happy that I joined my husband on his visit to Tajikistan. I visited a Refugee Center, and of course you all know the precarious situation of refugees. And I was very moved to see the outreach efforts by the Tajik people, and the presence of women and presence of men.

And I also visited with children. And of course you know that children are the future of our society and need all our love and care and attention.

And I just want to say that my husband was talking to these young girls who were welcoming us here yesterday and were saying goodbye to us today. He was telling them that any nation that does not use 50 per cent of its human resources stands to lose out, like an eagle cannot fly with only one wing. It needs both wings.

SG [to one reporter]: I see he agrees. [laughter]

Nane Annan: And we will remember the warmth of your people. Thank you very much.