US Secretary of State John Kerry said over the weekend that currently available data clearly shows that pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine shot down the plane using a missile system obtained from Russia.
“We urge that immediate unlimited access to the crash site should be allowed for OSCE investigators and observers,” Slovakia’s Foreign Ministry wrote in its official statement, as quoted by TASR. “There is a need to ensure that the remains and personal belongings of the victims are treated decently and that evidence for investigating the disaster is acquired.”
At the same time, the ministry called on Russia to use its influence over the separatists and to contribute not only to a credible investigation into the tragic event but, in particular, to stabilise the overall situation in southeastern Ukraine.
“The crisis in Ukraine can be permanently resolved by political means and dialogue,” stressed the ministry, as reported by TASR.
EU foreign ministers will address the current situation in Ukraine at a regular session in Brussels on July 22. The ministers should also discuss developments in Iraq as well as the current state of the Middle East peace process.
Immediately after the meeting, Slovak Foreign Minister Miroslav Lajčák will attend a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers with their counterparts from the Eastern Partnership (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine). After this meeting he will hold talks about the current situation in Ukraine and Slovakia’s contribution to a diplomatic solution with his Ukrainian counterpart Pavlo Klimkin.
Source: TASR
Compiled by Michaela Terenzani from press reports.
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information
presented in its Flash News postings.
