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11:30 GMT
BRUSSELS, July 30 (KUNA) -- The EU expressed Thursday its regret over Russiaآ’s veto of plans to set up a UN tribunal to try those responsible for shooting down Malaysian flight MH17 last year over Ukraine.
"We very much regret that the UNSC last night did not adopt due to veto by Russia the resolution of the downing of the Malaysian airlines flight MH17," EU spokesperson for foreign affairs Maja Kocijancic told a news conference here.
She noted that the resolution would have established a binding and credible mechanism for prosecuting those responsible for this terrible tragedy, and added that "the families and friends of those on board the fateful flight deserve justice to be done."
"Regardless of the setback the work must continue so that those who are either directly or indirectly responsible for the downing of the MH17 are indeed held accountable," said the EU spokesperson and called on all parties to cooperate with the international investigations.
Meanwhile, in the Netherlands Dutch Prime minister Mark Rutte described the Russian veto as a "blow" but said the Netherlands remained committed to bringing those responsible to justice.
Other options for legal action at an international and national level are now being looked at, Dutch media reported him saying Thursday.
Flight MH17 was shot down over eastern Ukraine on July 17, 2014, killing all 298 people on board. Most passengers on the flight were Dutch holidaymakers. (end)
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