Reaction To Russian Election Medvedev Gets Guarded Welcome From Berlin
The German government criticized the conduct of Russia's election campaign but said it looked forward to working with new president Dmitry Medvedev, while a German business leader expressed hope that he would step up reforms of the Russian economy.
"We have said in recent days that without question during the election campaign there were incidents and situations that showed democratic and constitutional principles were not followed at all times," German government spokesman Thomas Steg said at a regular news conference in Berlin.
"The German government has also said many times that it regrets that international election observers could not carry out their responsibilities in the desired way," he said.
But he added that Chancellor Angela Merkel wants to meet Medvedev as soon as possibe and regards his election on Sunday as a sign that the Russian people want "continuity and stability."
Merkel planned to offer Medvedev "comprehensive cooperation" and acknowledged that he had pledged to modernize Russia and strengthen human rights in the country, Steg said.
Meanwhile the head of the German business community's Committee on Eastern European Economic Relations, Klaus Mangold, said he hoped Medvedev would conduct more ambitious reforms.
"I think Russia will pursue a more (economically) liberal course under Medvedev. I think he will push forward with reforms," Mangold said.
He said Medvedev had already pledged a greater focus on modern technology, reducing the influence of the state in parts of the economy and encouraging foreign investment in Russia as well as Russian investment abroad.
"Of course we'll have to see how he will handle the balancing act with his predecessor Putin," said Mangold, adding that Medvedev now had to deliver on his promises.
cro/Reuters/dpa
