MOSCOW -- Russia's outgoing President Vladimir Putin hosted a farewell meeting with government and Kremlin officials Monday, when he urged them to continue his policies even after he steps down Wednesday.
"This is the last time I will chair the government meeting in this capacity. So I wish to thank you for the joint work of the past eight years rather than discuss current issues," the Interfax news agency quoted Putin as saying at a regular Monday meeting with senior officials.
"This country has new large-scale and serious goals. We will mount efforts in a number of inter-related areas, including an innovative economy, an efficient state administration, a better pension system and a new social development policy," said Putin, whose successor Dmitry Medvedev will take office after Wednesday's inauguration.
Putin, who will take on the post of prime minister on May 8, urged the government to implement major initiatives in the spheres of taxes, finance, healthcare, education, rural development and housing policy.
