The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Moscow

Russia's new President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday said he would work in "tandem" with Vladimir Putin, who was to be confirmed as the country's prime minister at an extraordinary session of parliament.

"I think no one has any doubt that our tandem, our cooperation, will only continue to strengthen," Medvedev told deputies of the lower house, the State Duma, which was set to confirm Putin as premier.

Putin as head of government will play a "key role" in shaping Russia's development through to 2020, said Medvedev, who replaced Putin in the Kremlin at an inauguration ceremony Wednesday.