Asean, EU ministers condemn downing of MH17

BANGKOK: Asean and European Ministers condemned in the strongest terms the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine last July 17.
In a joint statement issued after the 20th EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, the ministers welcomed the adoption of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2166 on July 21 on 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, according to the joint statement made available by Jakarta-based ASEAN Secretariat.
They 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.
The ministers also called for a swift, full and thorough, transparent and independent international investigation into the downing in accordance with international civil aviation guidelines.
According to the statement, they demanded all parties in the area of the crash site to provide fullest cooperation, including 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 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," added the statement.
They 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.
They also agreed that those directly and indirectly responsible should be held accountable and be brought to justice swiftly.
The ministers agreed that the MH17 tragedy was 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. – Bernama