The two leaders reviewed in detail the foreign policy agenda, the outcome of the recent G8 and G20 summits, the situation in Afghanistan and the Iranian nuclear programme.
Mr Medvedev and Ms Merkel agreed to hold a Russian-German Year of Science and Education in 2011 and to launch a joint history textbook project.
A number of agreements were signed following the Russian-German consultations in the presence of heads of state.
After the talks, Mr Medvedev and Ms Merkel gave a joint news conference.