EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and European Commission Vice President Federica Mogherini has called on the international community to support a criminal investigation into the downing of the Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 (MH17) in Donbas in July 2014.

"To ensure that those responsible for the downing of MH17 are held accountable and brought to justice, the criminal investigation needs the continuing support of the international community," Mogherini said in a statement circulated by the European Union Delegation to Russia on the third anniversary of the MH17 crash.

"We expect all the States that are in a position to assist the investigation and prosecution of those responsible to do so, as demanded by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2166," she said.

"The European Union and its Member states reiterate their full support for the work of the Joint Investigation Team and welcome the important progress made over the last year. As the Joint Investigation Team's work as regards individual suspects continues, it is crucial that the investigators can complete their work, independently and thoroughly," Mogherini said. "We welcome the steps taken by the countries involved to come to an effective prosecution, as well as their decision to opt for the Dutch national justice system embedded in international cooperation and support as an important step towards bringing those responsible for downing flight MH17 to justice," she said.

A Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur crashed in the Donetsk region of Ukraine on July 17, 2014, killing 283 passengers and 15 crewmembers, citizens of ten countries. Western countries have accused Russia of a role in the crash, and Moscow has categorically dismissed the allegations. The criminal investigation into the crash is being handled by an international investigative team formed without Russia and led by the Dutch prosecution service.