(WIESBADEN) - Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday he was convinced that Moscow's policy towards Europe would not change after his country's elections next year, regardless of who succeeds him.

Putin said Russia's cooperation with Europe "reflects the will of our people and the people of Europe to live together in friendship and understanding as good neighbours."

"As you know, there will soon be parliamentary and presidential elections in Russia, there will be a new configuration of power and new people," he said in Wiesbaden in western Germany ahead of talks with Chancellor Angela Merkel.

"I am convinced that the new powers that be in Russia will preserve the cooperation with Germany and with Europe without any interruption."

He made the remarks in a speech to participants in the Petersburg Dialogue, a Russian-German civil society forum.

The Russian president is banned from serving more than two consecutive terms, meaning that Putin must hand over power to the winner of the March 2008 presidential election.

But he has made clear that he wants to remain a political force and suggested earlier this month that he could become prime minister.

Putin's meeting with Merkel comes as relations between Moscow and Washington are strained.

The chancellor earlier Monday urged Putin to work with the West to resolve pressing international problems like Iran's nuclear ambitions.

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