BERLIN, March 3 (Xinhua) -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel congratulated Dimtry Medvedev on his victory in Russia's presidential election and wished to further extend Germany's ties with Russia, a German government spokesman said Monday.

    "The chancellor congratulates Dimtry Medvedev and looks forward to pursuing our extensive cooperation with Russia under President Medvedev," government spokesman Thomas Steg said.

    "The result of the election shows the wish of the Russian people for continuity and stability," he said.

    Merkel would hope to meet Medvedev and the outgoing President Vladimir Putin as soon as possible, he said, without referring to a date for such a meeting.

    Medvedev, who won the election with a landslide victory on Sunday, is expected to take office in May.