Declaration by the High Representative, Federica Mogherini, on behalf of the EU on the occasion of the third anniversary of the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17

Met dank overgenomen van Raad van de Europese Unie (Raad) i, gepubliceerd op maandag 17 juli 2017.

Today, three years after the tragic downing of flight MH17 on 17 July 2014, the European Union and its Member States reiterate their deepest sympathy and respect to all those who lost their loved ones that day. The tragedy of flight MH17, in which so many lives were lost, remains a constant source of sorrow and sadness for the European Union.

The European Union and its Member states reiterate their full support to the work of the Joint Investigation Team and welcome the important progress made over the last year. As the Joint Investigation Team's work as regards individual suspects continues, it is crucial that the investigators can complete their work, independently and thoroughly. We welcome the steps taken by the countries involved to come to an effective prosecution, as well as their decision to opt for the Dutch national justice system embedded in international cooperation and support as an important step towards bringing those responsible for downing flight MH17 to justice.

To ensure that those responsible for the downing of MH17 are held accountable and brought to justice, the criminal investigation needs the continuing support of the international community. We expect all the States that are in a position to assist the investigation and prosecution of those responsible to do so, as demanded by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2166.

The Candidate Countries the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia*, Montenegro* and Albania*, the country of the Stabilisation and Association Process and potential candidate Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the EFTA countries Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway, members of the European Economic Area, as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova and Georgia align themselves with this Declaration.

  • * 
    The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.