MOSCOW, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Russia and Armenia hope to maintain close bilateral ties following a meeting between the leaders of both countries at the Black Sea resort of Sochi on Monday.

"I hope that our relations will develop as progressively as they have been so far," Russian President Vladimir Putin was quoted as saying by a Kremlin press release.

He said that Armenia has been Russia's closest partner and ally in the Transcaucasia region, especially regarding economic and security ties.

Russia remains Armenia's leading trading partner, accounting for more than 25 percent of its foreign trade and around 35 percent of its foreign investments, while Armenia is a big supplier of agricultural products to Russia, Putin said.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said Armenia hopes to boost political, trade and military relations with Russia.

"As for the allied strategic relations between Armenia and Russia, I can assure you that there is consensus on this issue in Armenia ... I think that nobody will question the strategic importance of the Armenian-Russian relations," he said.

This was Pashinyan's first foreign trip since he was elected prime minister on May 8 after former Armenian leader Serzh Sargsyan stepped down amid mass protests.