EU seeks international probe on the crash of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 on Ukrainian territory

Top European Union officials have expressed shock by the crash of Malaysian Airlines flight on Ukrainian territory and the loss of many lives, calling for urgent international probe that would fully clarify all circumstances of the crash.

“We are shocked by reports of the circumstances surrounding the tragic loss of a Malaysian Airlines flight on its way from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on Ukrainian territory and the loss of so many lives. Our thoughts are with the many whose relatives and friends were on board,” High Representative Catherine Ashton said in a statement.

“The circumstances must be clarified without delay and the international investigation must shed full light on this tragedy. We call on all parties in the region of the crash to provide full access to the crash site, so that it can be secured immediately, to cooperate fully and to share all relevant information,” Ashton said.

“This is another stark illustration of why it is so urgent to bring this conflict to an end. Without prejudging the facts behind the crash, we call on all parties to stop the senseless loss of life in Eastern Ukraine, to refrain from any escalatory acts, and to agree to an immediate cease fire,” she added.

In a joint statement the President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, and the President of the European Council, Herman Van Rompuy said:

“We are shocked by the crash of the Malaysian airliner in Ukraine and the tragic loss of so many lives. Citizens from many nationalities including from the European Union have been killed.

“On behalf of the European Union, we wish to convey our deepest condolences to the Prime Ministers of the Netherlands, Malaysia, to the governments of all other affected nations, and to the families of the victims,” the statement said.

Calling for an immediate and thorough investigation into the causes of the crash as “the facts and responsibilities need to be established as quickly as possible,” Presidents Barroso and Van Rompuy said “the European Union will continue to follow this issue very closely.”