Brussels, July 17 (IANS): On the second anniversary of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 being shot down in eastern Ukraine, the European Union on Sunday called for prosecution of those responsible for the tragedy.

"The EU recall the tragedy of flight MH17, which occurred on July 17, 2014, and renew their sympathy to all those who have lost their loved ones. We all remember what happened two years ago with sorrow and sadness," Efe news quoted High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini as saying in a statement.

The Italian politician said the UN Security Council Resolution 2166 demands that "those directly or indirectly responsible for the downing of MH17 must be held accountable and are brought to justice".

"The EU reiterates its full support to the work of the joint investigation team and the ongoing efforts by the countries involved to come to an effective prosecution," she said.

The countries "that are in a position to assist with the investigation and prosecution of those responsible must fully cooperate with the ongoing criminal investigation", Mogherini said.

The MH17 flight, with 298 persons aboard, was on way from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, 2014, when it was downed by a surface-to-air missile fired from a region in eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Russian rebels.