Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, in a statement released on Tuesday (March 8) to mark the second anniversary of the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370, has said he remains hopeful that the plane would be found.

However, he said Malaysia, Australia and China would hold a tripartite meeting to decide the next move if the plane is not found in the 120,000 sq km area in the southern Indian Ocean that is currently being searched.

The search is in its final stage, and the search is set officially end in June.

The flight vanished on March 8, 2014, en route to Beijing from Kuala Lumpur, with 239 people on board.

Here is the full text of Datuk Seri Najib's statement:

"Today, we mark the second anniversary of the disappearance of flight MH370. We mourn the loss of the 239 people, including 50 Malaysians, who were on board.

"The discovery of debris on the island of Reunion last July provided further evidence that, as I announced on 24th March 2014, flight MH370 tragically ended in the southern Indian Ocean. But we know that neither the passage of time, nor this evidence, will comfort those whose grief cannot be assuaged.

"The disappearance of MH370 was without precedent, and the search has been the most challenging in aviation history. Amidst some of the world's most inhospitable terrain - at depths of up to six kilometres, across underwater mountain ranges, and in the world's fastest currents - the search team have been working tirelessly to find MH370's resting place. We are grateful for their efforts.

"The current search operation is expected to be completed later this year, and we remain hopeful that MH370 will be found in the 120,000 square kilometre area under investigation. If it is not, then Malaysia, Australia and China will hold a tripartite meeting to determine the way forward.

"We remain committed to doing everything within our means to solving what is an agonising mystery for the loved ones of those who were lost. On this most difficult of days, our thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who will never be forgotten."