Berlin, March 3, SPA -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel hopes to meet withDmitry Medvedev as soon as possible, following his victory in theRussian presidential elections, DPA quoted a government spokesman as saying Monday. "The chancellor congratulates Medvedev on his success and looksforward to continuing the comprehensive cooperation with Russia undera new president," government spokesman Thomas Steg said. "The result of the election documents the wish of the Russianpeople for continuity and stability," Steg said. The spokesman said Merkel hoped to meet as soon as possible withMedvedev and outgoing President Vladimir Putin, who hands over thepresidency to his successor in May. Steg said both sides were trying to find a suitable date for themeeting, but was unable to confirm the chancellor would fly toMoscow on Saturday. Russian sources had previously mentioned March 8 as the probabledate for such a meeting. With more than 95 per cent of the vote counted in Sunday's poll,Kremlin favourite Medvedev had secured 70.1 per cent of the vote,more than 50 per cent more than his nearest rival, Communist Partyleader Gennady Zyuganov.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/532760