The Permanent Council,

Appalled by the 17 July crash of the civilian commercial aircraft Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine,

Deeply saddened by the death of citizens of at least 10 countries, including several OSCE participating States and Partners for Co-operation, and expressing condolences to the bereaved,

In order to contribute to an international response to this tragedy and desiring a full and credible account of this event,

Recalling the 18 July statements by the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office on the readiness of the OSCE to offer support, and by the Trilateral Contact Group,

Being guided by the OSCE commitments,

The Permanent Council:

1. Strongly supports the efforts of the Trilateral Contact Group to create conditions for a sustainable ceasefire, to be agreed swiftly, and to be observed by all concerned, thus putting an end to violence in eastern Ukraine;

2. Calls for immediate, safe and secure access to the site and surrounding area for the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission and other representatives of relevant international organizations according to International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and other established procedures;

3. Calls upon all those in the area to preserve the crash site intact, including by refraining from destroying, moving, or disturbing wreckage, equipment, debris, personal belongings, or remains;

4. Supports the calls for an open, transparent and independent international investigation, in co-ordination with the ICAO, including with participation of technical and forensic experts from the Ukrainian, Malaysian, and Dutch governments as well as other technical and forensic experts and relevant regional bodies;

5. Calls on all participating States and other actors to support the steps above and to refrain from any interference with an international investigation.