Moscow  - Russian President Dmitry Medvedev called for the return of Russia to great power status through a "comprehensive modernisation" in his address to the nation speech Thursday.

Russia had to overcome its "chronic backwardness" he said, and should incorporate democratic principles while achieving its economic renewal.

The world's largest country by geography could not rely on its achievements during the Soviet period, he said. Medvedev criticized the comparative lack of competitiveness of the Russia economy and the country's dependence on natural resources such as oil and gas. dpa)