Hon Murray McCully
Minister of Foreign Affairs
30 September 2016
Media Statement
NZ welcomes MH17 interim report
Foreign Minister Murray McCully has expressed his appreciation for the thorough work of the independent investigation
into the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in July 2014, saying it is an important step towards accountability.
“The downing of the flight cost 298 lives, including a New Zealand citizen and a New Zealand resident. We remain
committed to ensuring there is accountability for this tragic incident,” Mr McCully says.
“This report, which is based on a painstaking, impartial and careful investigation, raises some very serious questions.
“The Joint Investigation Team’s release of its preliminary findings is an important step towards accountability. New
Zealand continues to urge all countries to fully cooperate with this investigation, as required under Security Council
resolution 2166.
“The victims of this tragedy and their families deserve this much.”
The Joint Investigation Team, which comprises investigative authorities from The Netherlands, Ukraine, Malaysia,
Australia and Belgium, released its interim report into the MH17 disaster on 28 September in The Hague.
The report found that the plane was brought down by a surface to air missile brought into Ukraine from Russia and fired
from an area under the control of pro-Russian separatists at the time. An investigation into criminal accountability
continues.
ends