MOSCOW, Jan. 24 (Xinhua) -- Russia's economic development minister said the country's annual GDP growth will reach 3 to 3.5 percent in a couple of years, local media reported Wednesday.

"The Russian economy is already growing. Given the demographic challenges that we have faced, its growth should total 3-3.5 percent. I hope it will happen in a couple of years," said Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Oreshkin.

The minister noted that the Russian government had taken measures to lower the country's dependence on the volatility of oil prices, which resulted in stronger economic performance.

Russia's central bank has kept its forecast for GDP growth in 2017 at 1.7-2.2 percent. Oreshkin also expects the federal budget to return to a surplus this year due to higher than expected oil prices.