Joint statement of EU-ASEAN on the tragic downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17
Joint statement of EU-ASEAN on the tragic downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17
Опубліковано 24 липня 2014 року о 03:08
At the 20th EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Brussels on 23 July 2014, the Ministers condemned in the strongest terms the downing of Flight MH17 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on 17 July 2014. The Ministers welcomed the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2166 on 21 July 2014 on Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 and urged its full implementation.
The Ministers expressed their shock and indignation over the tragic deaths of the 298 people of multiple nationalities on board the airplane. The Ministers conveyed their deepest sympathies and condolences to families and friends of those on board Flight MH17 and to the governments and people of the affected countries.
They called for a swift, full and thorough, transparent and independent international investigation into the downing in accordance with international civil aviation guidelines. They demanded all parties in the area of the crash site to provide fullest cooperation, which include assistance to the safe, secure, full, immediate and unrestricted access to the site and surrounding area as well as support to the appropriate investigating authorities, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission and representatives of other relevant international organizations according to ICAO and other established procedures.
The Ministers demanded that the armed groups in control of this site and the surrounding area refrain from any actions that may compromise the integrity of the crash site. They further insisted on the dignified, respectful and professional treatment and recovery of the bodies of the victims, and called upon all parties to ensure that this happens with immediate effect.
The Ministers demanded all military activities, including by armed groups, be immediately ceased in the immediate area surrounding the crash site to allow for security and safety of the international investigation.
The Ministers agreed that those directly and indirectly responsible should be held accountable and be brought to justice swiftly. The Ministers called upon all states and parties to fully cooperate toward this end.
The Ministers agreed that the MH17 tragedy is another stark illustration of how escalation of disputes and threat to international peace and security could claim innocent lives in a tragic and senseless manner. They called on all parties to stop the senseless loss of life and to refrain from any escalatory acts. The Ministers underlined the urgent need to agree on an immediate, genuine and sustainable ceasefire by all parties, and called for an end to the conflict.