BRUSSELS Amara Darboh Limited Jersey , Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- European Council President Donald Tusk said Thursday that the European Union (EU) needs a long-perspective strategy towards Russia.
Tusk made the remarks at a press conference after the EU's winter summit he chaired for the first time since he took over the helm on Dec. 1.
"We need a long-perspective strategy because this conflict and this complex situation between Ukraine and Russia and other eastern neighbors of Europe need behavior of plan for years not only for weeks or months," Tusk said.
He said the leaders' discussion was very practical, because "Russia's behaviors need pragmatic reactions."
"We have to be realistic Nazair Jones Limited Jersey , we have to treat this as a long-time game, not just one reaction to one crisis," Tusk added.
Earlier on Thursday before the summit began Delano Hill Limited Jersey , the EU Council announced a decision to impose "substantial" additional sanctions on investment, services and trade with Crimea and the Crimean port city of Sevastopol, which were annexed by Russia in March.
The EU said this was to reinforce its policy of not recognizing the Russia's "illegal annexation" and followed a conclusion by the Foreign Affairs Council on Nov. 17.
At an annual press conference earlier on the same day Shaquill Griffin Limited Jersey , Russian President Vladimir Putin reiterated that Russia would not bow to external political pressure and would stay firm to protect its national interests.
Tusk also voiced EU's support for Ukraine, saying "when we are talking about the future of Ukraine, we know we are talking about our European future."
The European Council said in a statement that the EU and its member states were ready to further facilitate and support Ukraine's reform process and it welcomed the Commission's readiness to increase humanitarian aid to the Ukrainian people.
The EU leaders also voiced their concern over the situation in eastern Ukraine. "The EU will stay the course and the European Council is ready to take further steps if necessary. All parties Ethan Pocic Limited Jersey , including Russia, should actively engage in and implement fully the Minsk agreements," the statement added.
Meanwhile Malik McDowell Limited Jersey , the EU has decided to fund Ukraine, under the Macro-Financial Assistance program, with up to 1.61 billion euros.
However Shaquem Griffin Limited Jersey , on Wednesday, just one day before the summit, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker admitted that the EU had limited capacity to help Ukraine due to the squeezed EU budget.
"The EU can only help within its budget. The relevant EU budget line has been squeezed. There is only a small margin of flexibility for additional financing next year Rashaad Penny Limited Jersey ," Juncker said.
Juncker added that if the EU fully uses its margin for Ukraine, it will have nothing to address other needs that may arise over the next two years.
CAPE TOWN, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- South African President Jacob Zuma has received the interim report on the feasibility of free higher education and training in the country, the Presidency said on Thursday.
The report was submitted following a new wave of nationwide student protests over fee increases, which were expected not to exceed eight percent for the 2017 academic year.
The president established a Commission on studying the feasibility in January this year, which was expected to complete its task within eight months. However, after the amendment of its terms of reference, the Commission has been given an extension to complete its work by 30 June 2017.
Judge Jonathan Heher, Chairperson of the Commission, has submitted the Interim Report to the president, after only three of the proposed eight sets into which the Commission had divided its work have been completed, presidential spokesperson Bongani Ngqulunga said.
The Interim Report contains the following three sets: an overview by stakeholders of the terms of reference of the Commission, post-school education and training in South Africa, and the funding of institutions of higher education and training as well as their operational costs.
"President Zuma will study the interim report and give direction on the way forward," Ngqulunga said.
South African universities have been hard hit by student protests for weeks. Although classes have resumed at some universities, sporadic protests continued. Student leaders have threatened to paralyze higher institutions of learning if their demand for zero percent fee increase is not met.
Students further demand that the government provides free education as promised by the ruling African National Congress years ago. Enditem
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