Brussels: Europe and the Arabs
"On July 17, we celebrate the ninth anniversary of the tragic downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, when 298 people of 17 different nationalities lost their lives. The European Union continues to feel deep sympathy with the All who have lost their loved ones.
The European Union renews its full support for all efforts to establish the truth and achieve justice for the 298 victims of the MH17 downing and their relatives, and hold those responsible to account, in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 2166.
On June 23, 2023, the European Union listed two people who actively participated in Russia's military aggression against Ukraine from an early stage. In November 2022, these individuals were convicted of shooting down Flight MH17 by the Dutch District Court.
The European Union confirms that the evidence presented by the Joint Investigation Team in the proceedings before the Dutch District Court and the European Court of Human Rights shows that the BUK installation used to shoot down Flight MH17 undoubtedly belongs to the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. In its admissibility ruling of 25 January 2023 in Ukraine and the Netherlands v. Russia, the European Court of Human Rights was the first international court to confirm Russia's involvement in the downing of Flight MH17. The decision is final and will be followed by a ruling on the merits at a later date.
Recalling its previous statements, the European Union takes note of all ongoing legal proceedings in this regard, and expects Russia to assume its responsibility and cooperate fully with efforts to establish truth and justice for the victims and their relatives, and accountability for those involved.