The ministers from the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Wednesday called for a "swift, full and thorough, transparent and independent" international investigation into the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17.

In a joint statement of the 20th EU-ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in Brussels, the ministers urged all parties in the area of the crash site to provide full cooperation, which includes assistance to the safe, secure, full, immediate and unrestricted access to the site and surrounding area as well as support to the appropriate investigating authorities.

Meanwhile, the ministers demanded all military activities, including by armed groups, be immediately ceased in the area surrounding the crash site to allow for security and safety of the international investigation, the statement said.

They further insisted on the dignified, respectful and professional treatment and recovery of the bodies of the victims.

The ministers claimed that those directly and indirectly responsible should be held accountable and be brought to justice swiftly, according to the statement.

The Boeing 777 passenger plane of the Malaysia Airlines crashed in eastern Ukraine en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur on July 17, killing all 298 people aboard.