MOSCOW, June 15 (RIA Novosti) - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev said in an interview released on Monday that governing in partnership with his predecessor, current Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, has proved effective.
Putin's hand-picked successor, Medvedev was inaugurated in May 2008, and the former president became prime minister a day later, with the pair pledging to run the country in "tandem."
"We have been working quite efficiently at least as I see it - me as president and Mr. Putin as chairman of the government," Medvedev told China Central Television (CCTV).
Medvedev said they had to tackle a "series of rather dramatic developments" during his first year as president, apparently referring to a war with ex-Soviet Georgia, a global financial crisis that hit Russia's economy hard, and a new engagement with the United States under its new president, Barack Obama.
Who is really at the helm, Putin - who was popular domestically after presiding over an economic boom and Russia's resurgence in world affairs during his two terms in office - or Medvedev, remains a subject of debate.
"As I see it, our coordinated activity has allowed us to tackle many objectives rather efficiently," Medvedev said. "I think this has been a rather effective, viable mechanism, although it is not up to politicians to assess their work."
Medvedev said they had managed to keep federal welfare and economic projects afloat during the crisis, when the price of oil, a major source of Russia's revenues, plummeted amid shrinking demand globally.
Speaking to CCTV as Chinese President Hu Jintao's visits Russia, Medvedev said foreign policy priorities, including closer ties with China, have also remained intact.
Hu arrived in Russia on Sunday for the Shanghai Cooperation Organization meeting and the first summit of BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India, China).
