Frans Timmermans Addresses UN Security Council on MH17 Downing

Thank you very much,

Mr. President, and thank you for allowing me to speak here today.

We're here to discuss a tragedy,

the downing of a commercial airliner and the death of 298 innocent people.

Men, women, and a staggering number of children lost their

lives on their way to their holiday destinations, their homes,

loved ones,

or international obligations,

such as an important HIV AIDS conference in Australia.

Since Thursday,

I've been thinking how horrible must have been the final moments

of their lives when they knew the plane was going down.

Did they lock hands with their loved ones?

Did they hold their children close to their hearts?

Did they look each other in the eyes one final time in a wordless goodbye?

We will never know.

The demise of almost 200 of my compatriots has left a hole

in the heart of the Dutch nation.

It's caused grief,

anger, and despair.

Grief for the loss of the loved ones,

anger for the outrage of the downing of a civilian airplane, and despair after

witnessing the excruciatingly slow process of securing the crash site

and recovering the remains of the victims.

It is fitting that this august Council should take position on this matter,

and I welcome the adoption of today's resolution of the United

Nations Security Council,

which was tabled by Australia and which the Netherlands co sponsored.

I thank the countries which expressed support for it,

and I particularly want to thank Julie Bishop.