We were shocked with the news of the Malaysian airlines flight
travelling from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur that was shot down over Ukrainian
airspace yesterday.
On behalf of the Government and the people of Cyprus we extend our
sincere grievances to the families of the victims onboard while conveying our
condolences to the Prime Ministers of the Netherlands and Malaysia as well as to
the governments of all other nations of which citizens have senselessly lost
their lives in this tragic incident. We call for an immediate investigation of
the circumstances around the air crash by an independent international committee.
Regretfully this dramatic event is a most painful collateral
illustration of the ongoing instability which has been precipitating in the
Eastern provinces of Ukraine, and should serve as wakeup call of why it is
imperative that this conflict is brought to an end without delay.
At this critical juncture, and with the humanitarian situation on the
ground fast deteriorating, all sides have the responsibility to demonstrate
necessary restrain, implement a durable cease fire and proceed swiftly to
constructive and meaningful dialogue.
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