Ukraine, Netherlands discuss cooperation in probing MH17 crash - Foreign Ministry

This issue was discussed at a meeting between Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Olena Zerkal and Dutch Ambassador to Ukraine Eduard Hoeks, the press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reported.

"The parties gave a positive assessment of bilateral cooperation in investigating the crash of the MH17 aircraft. In particular, they stated a common position regarding the importance of prosecuting the perpetrators of this crime," the report says.

The report also notes that the sides "expressed satisfaction" with the level of bilateral cooperation and positively noted the increase in the volume of trade and economic cooperation between Ukraine and the Netherlands.

It was noted that the Association Agreement between Ukraine and the EU, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, was an additional positive factor for further intensification of interaction.

In addition, Zerkal clarified Ukraine's position regarding the deployment of a UN peacekeeping force to Donbas.

At the same time, according to the ministry, the Dutch ambassador emphasized the importance of further effective implementation of the Association Agreement by Ukraine.

As reported, a Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down in Donetsk region on July 17, 2014. All 298 people on board were killed. Passengers of the flight were citizens of ten countries. Most of those killed (196 people) were citizens of the Netherlands.

On October 13, 2015, the Dutch Safety Board, which was investigating the causes of the crash, issued a report stating that the plane had been shot down by a Russian-made Buk surface-to-air missile.

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