DUSHANBE, July 31 -- Foreign ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organizations (SCO) on Thursday called for an open, fair and independent investigation into the MH17 incident.

The appeal was made at a meeting of SCO Council of Foreign Ministers in the Tajik capital.

Expressing deep sympathies with the families of the victims, the foreign ministers urged relevant parties to conduct an open, fair and independent investigation and fully cooperate on the matter so as to determine the causes of the tragedy.

They stressed that the investigation must be carried out in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2166.

A Malaysia Airlines passenger plane crashed in the restive east of Ukraine on July 17, killing all 298 people aboard the ill-fated flight MH17 en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.

The ministers also discussed a host of other issues of common concern.

The United Nations should continue to play a major coordination role in international relations, they stressed, adding that the SCO members support further enhancing the leading role of the UN Security Council in safeguarding world peace and security.

On the reform of the UN body, the foreign ministers suggested constructive consultations be carried out in search for a comprehensive solution, and the interests and concerns of all relevant parties be taken into consideration so as to reach the broadest consensus on the issue.

Reform schemes that are not endorsed by a majority of UN member states should not be thrusted, nor should any time limits be imposed, they said.

On the Iranian nuclear issue, the foreign ministers agreed that the Joint Plan of Action reached last November in Geneva was an important step toward resolving the issue and enhancing mutual trust and understanding among relevant countries and in the region as a whole.

To all SCO members, the forthcoming celebrations to mark the 70th anniversary of the victory of the World War II will be a major event, they agreed.

As the World War II has shown, it is of vital importance at present to avoid any repetition of such tragedies that could cause mass casualties, the ministers said, vowing joint efforts in effectively facing up to security threats and challenges.

The ministers also approved the draft of the process of granting SCO member status.

The SCO, which groups China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan, is scheduled to hold a summit here in September.