Russia's Medvedev gets cautious welcome from Europe

BERLIN (Reuters) - European countries voiced hope on Monday that the election of Dmitry Medvedev as Russia's new president would ease tensions and boost cooperation with Moscow despite a vote they said fell short of democratic standards.

Medvedev, Vladimir Putin's chosen successor, won Sunday's election in dominating fashion, with 70 percent of the vote amid high turnout. Kremlin opponents denounced the election as a one-sided farce and monitors said it was neither free nor fair.

Germany and France also made clear the vote did not meet their criteria for a democratic election, but alongside Britain and the European Union they congratulated Medvedev on a victory they said appeared to reflect the will of the Russian people.

"You have set yourself a goal to push ahead with the modernization of Russia," German Chancellor Angela Merkel wrote in a message to Medvedev.

"Be assured that Germany will remain a reliable partner and will do its utmost to develop bilateral ties in all areas," added Merkel, who may travel to Russia this weekend for talks with Medvedev and Putin.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy spoke with Medvedev on the phone on Monday and invited him to France.

"The President of the Republic assured him of his wish, after he assumes office, to maintain relations based on confidence and openness," spokesman David Martinon said.

Britain, whose relations with Russia were strained by Putin's refusal to hand over a suspect in a high-profile London murder, also expressed hopes of better cooperation and said Medvedev should be judged on his actions.

Medvedev, 42, will take over from Putin in May. He has pledged to continue the policies of his predecessor, who will retain power and influence in the new role of prime minister.

ENERGY DEPENDENCEELATIONS

Under Putin, relations between Europe and Moscow often been strained, with European politicians expressing concern over what they see as Moscow's increasingly autocratic policies.

Russia is at odds with the EU over the decision by many of the bloc's members to recognize the independence of Kosovo, and has clashed with it over U.S. plans to put parts of a missile shield in central Europe.

Gazprom, whose board Medvedev chaired, has repeatedly unnerved Europe by cutting off gas supplies to eastern neighbors like Ukraine. The Russian gas giant's plans to build a pipeline under the Baltic Sea are also controversial, particularly in Poland and neighboring Baltic countries.

But Europe is also mindful that Russia is its biggest energy supplier and, as a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, is a crucial partner on big global issues like the showdown over Iran's nuclear program.

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso avoided direct criticism of the way the Russian election was handled on Monday, voicing confidence that the EU could develop its "strategic partnership" with Moscow under Medvedev.

That conciliatory stance was echoed by the White House, which has worked to calm tensions with Putin after clashing fiercely with him over the missile shield last year.

Both Putin and Medvedev have said they will abide by the Russian constitution, which gives the president control of foreign policy and top ministries, leaving the prime minister to focus on the economy and social services.

But there remains much uncertainty over how the two will work together given that Medvedev owes his election to Putin.

"Medvedev is a politician of the young generation so this might give hope for a more democratic, European drive," said Krzysztof Lisek, the head of the foreign affairs commission in the Polish parliament.

"But his Gazprom past is reason for worries. Worries that Russia will keep using energy as a weapon and will not change its attitude on issues like the Nord Stream" pipeline.

(Reporting by Berlin, Paris, Brussels, Warsaw bureaux; Editing by Caroline Drees)