Putin satisfied with Medvedev government

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MOSCOW, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a news conference he approves of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev's performance in office.

"In general I am satisfied with the work of the prime minister and the government, but I would like to note the current prime minister, the head of government, was Russia's head of state for four years," Putin said.

Medvedev was Russian president before becoming prime minister in May 2012.

The press conference was one of considerable importance, the Russian news agency ITAR-Tass said.

"It's an enormous responsibility. I know it only too well how difficult this job (that of prime minister) is. It implied direct responsibility for decision-making," Putin said of Medvedev's position.

Speaking about the work of the president and the government, he said: "We must work as a single efficient team. Otherwise there will be no result. The people should realize it."