The Embassy of Turkey in The Hague expresses its profound regret that the aircraft of Malaysia Airlines (flight number MH17) en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur was shot down on 17 July 2014 while cruising through the airspace of Ukraine, and thereby, causing the tragic death of 298 passengers and crew, including 193 Dutch citizens. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families and relatives of those who lost their lives during this tragic incident.

On this sad occasion, in order to express its sympathy with the Netherlands and other countries who lost their nationals, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey published a press release. (see the link: http://www.mfa.gov.tr/no_-244_-19-july-2014_-press-release-regarding-the-malaysia-airlines-plane-shot-down-in-ukrainian-airspace.en.mfa) Likewise, President Abdullah Gül, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Minister of Foreign Affairs Ahmet Davutoğlu sent messages of condolences to their Dutch counterparts, namely, H.M. King Willem-Alexander, Prime Minister Mark Rutte and Minister of Foreign Affairs Frans Timmermans.

On 18 July 2014, Ambassador Sadık Arslan wrote the following message at the book of condolence opened at the Dutch Ministry of Security and Justice:

“On behalf of the Turkish nation and my Mission, I would like to express our heartfelt condolences to the people of The Netherlands for the tragic loss of lives which was caused by the plane crash that took place yesterday.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who lost their lives. We stand with them in this hour of grief.”