FPS Foreign Affairs, Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Kingdom of Belgium

07/17/2021 | News release | Distributed by Public on 07/16/2021 16:09

Joint JIT Ministerial Statement - 17 July 2021

We, the Foreign Ministers of Australia, Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands, and Ukraine, whose countries comprise the Joint Investigation Team (JIT), today mark the seventh anniversary of the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, resulting in the tragic deaths of 298 passengers and crew members. Our thoughts remain with those who perished on board, their families and loved ones.

While nothing can bring back those who lost their lives, or diminish the anguish and grief suffered by the family members, it is imperative that we remain steadfast in our commitment to pursuing truth, justice and accountability. We acknowledge the cooperation of our respective investigative agencies and reiterate our full support for their efforts to establish the truth of what happened. We also have full confidence in the independent, open and impartial criminal proceedings against the alleged perpetrators.

We reiterate our deepest sympathies and condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims of the downing of Flight MH17.