Originally published by Moldpres

Two employees of the Intelligence and Security Service (SIS), who had been held captive in Russia, were released in a 5 for 5 exchange at the Belarus–Poland border and returned to the Moldovan authorities, as part of an international prisoner swap. Moldova’s President Maia Sandu today made statements to this effect and thanked U.S. President Donald Trump and other partner states for their involvement in this complex operation.

According to the Moldovan president, actions in this case have been underway for more months, coordinated by SIS and carried out together with partner states.

‘’Moldova has managed to free and bring home two Moldovan citizens who were being held captive in Russia. Both, being SIS employees, were released and handed back to our authorities in an international prisoner exchange. I thank President Trump for his involvement and the one of the U.S. Administration in the success of this action. I thank all our partners – from the United States, Poland, and Romania – for their involvement at each stage of the process and for the support provided to our authorities. I am grateful to all our institutions for their professionalism and for the top-level international cooperation that made it possible to save our officers,” Maia Sandu said.

The head of state noted that, in order to bring them home after a complex operation, the two officers were exchanged, as requested by the other side, for two other persons: a citizen of the Russian Federation, Nina Popova, who acted against the state Republic of Moldova, and Alexandru Balan, a citizen of Moldova, accused of treason in the interest of the Belarusian KGB, who was pardoned, so that he could leave for Belarus.

“For our country, this is a gain that cannot be measured by a simple mathematical equation – we brought home two citizens who work for Moldova, in exchange for two detainees who worked against Moldova. Our officers are on their way home and we are waiting for them to arrive safely! It is important that they undergo all medical examinations – our priority is to make sure they are healthy and receive, if necessary, the treatment they need,” Maia Sandu added.

The Moldovan authorities specified that some details of the operation had not been made public earlier, in order not to endanger the entire operation, nor the lives of the two Moldovan citizens.

President Vahagn Khachaturyan has received members of the Estonia-Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group from Riigikogu.

The Armenian president’s office said Vahagn Khachaturyan welcomed the delegation and noted that bilateral ties continue to develop steadily.

“Our friendly relations, grounded in shared democratic values, are advancing dynamically – not only at bilateral and multilateral levels, but also within the broader framework of the Armenia-EU partnership,” he said.

The president also referred to the recent visit of Estonia’s foreign minister to Armenia, during which Estonia officially opened its resident embassy in Yerevan. He said the embassy would contribute to expanding cooperation across multiple sectors and strengthening people-to-people ties, while underlining the importance of enhancing inter-parliamentary engagement.

Ando Kiviberg, a member of the friendship group, thanked the president for the warm reception. He said relations between Estonia and Armenia are built on mutual trust, respect and shared values, noting similarities in historical experience, democratic development and common challenges.

The sides discussed a range of issues on the bilateral agenda, as well as cooperation within the European Union-Armenia framework. Both highlighted the need to deepen practical cooperation, particularly in digitalisation and e-governance, where Estonia has recognised expertise.

They also exchanged views on regional developments and the current security and political environment. Discussions touched on the new situation following the Armenia–United States agreements of August 8, 2025, as well as the opportunities they create for Armenia and the wider region, with both sides stressing the importance of stability and cooperation.

The meeting further emphasised the continuation of initiatives aimed at strengthening democratic institutions, along with mutual support in promoting the rule of law, transparent governance and the protection of human rights.

A delegation from the Estonia–Armenia Parliamentary Friendship Group, led by Ando Kiviberg, chair of the Constitutional Committee of the Riigikogu, visited the Tsitsernakaberd Memorial Complex in Yerevan.

The visiting Estonian lawmakers laid flowers at the eternal flame, paying tribute to the victims of the Armenian Genocide and honoring their memory. 

During their visit to the Armenian Genocide Museum-Institute, the delegation reviewed archival materials and historical documents related to the genocide and signed the guestbook.

The State Revenue Committee of Armenia has launched the ExIm information platform, a new digital system designed to consolidate customs-related data in one place and simplify foreign trade procedures.

Speaking at the launch, Eduard Hakobyan, chairman of the State Revenue Committee (SRC), described the platform as an important milestone in the country’s digital transformation and international cooperation agenda. He said Armenia aims to position itself as a regional and global logistics and technology hub by removing unnecessary barriers in customs and tax administration through deeper digital integration.

“The ExIm platform is the real-world embodiment of this vision. It aligns with the principles of the Trade Facilitation Agreement by removing information barriers and ensuring a transparent, predictable and contactless environment,” Hakobyan said. He added that this marks only the beginning of broader reforms, including the planned introduction of artificial intelligence tools in customs administration.

Karen Tamazyan, deputy chairman of the SRC, said the platform was developed based on practical experience and operational challenges within the customs system. He said the aim was to create a system in which data is accessible, unified and usable for all stakeholders. “This marks the beginning of a new culture, where information is not a barrier but an opportunity to facilitate foreign trade,” he said.

The project was implemented with the support of the German government and the GIZ. Eva Meyer, cultural and development cooperation attaché at the German Embassy in Armenia, said the initiative demonstrates Armenia’s commitment to transparent and efficient import and export procedures, while improving access to information and planning capacity.

Letizia Carnevali, GIZ portfolio manager, said ExIm is not only a technological innovation but also a tool to strengthen cooperation and trust between the public and private sectors.

The platform’s functions were presented by Artem Karapetyan, head of the Customs Service and Control Department at the SRC, who highlighted its practical value for businesses engaged in foreign economic activity.

ExIm operates as a “one-stop shop” platform, bringing together key information on export, import and transit procedures. It provides details on customs regulations, required documents, timeframes, restrictions, tariffs, payment procedures and relevant state bodies. It also includes simplified guidance designed to help users reduce errors and save time.

The system is aimed at businesses of all sizes, customs representatives, logistics companies and individual entrepreneurs. Users can access the platform without registration, search by product name or customs code, and receive structured information tailored to specific countries and procedures. Built-in calculators allow users to estimate import costs in advance.

 Officials say ExIm is expected to improve transparency, reduce risks and make trade procedures more predictable, contributing to a more efficient business environment in Armenia.

Arayik Harutyunyan, the Chief of Staff of the Prime Minister’s Office, has met with Anthony Banbury, President and Chief Executive Officer of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES).

The meeting focused on ongoing cooperation between Armenia and IFES since 2018, with both sides highlighting joint programmes aimed at strengthening democratic governance and improving the integrity of electoral processes.

During the talks, Harutyunyan reaffirmed that ensuring free, fair and transparent elections remains a key priority for the government. In this context, he noted that the 2026 parliamentary elections are seen as an important opportunity to further strengthen democratic institutions and enhance public trust.

The two sides also discussed upcoming electoral processes, including local government elections, and emphasised the importance of continued long-term and structured cooperation in the electoral field.

Lieutenant General Edward Asryan, First Deputy Minister of Defence of Armenia and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, has begun an official visit to the Republic of India.

A formal welcoming ceremony was held at India’s Ministry of Defence, after which Asryan held a one-on-one meeting with General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Defence Staff of the Indian Armed Forces. The talks were followed by expanded-format discussions between the two delegations.

The sides reviewed the current state of defence cooperation between Armenia and India and assessed the implementation of activities under their bilateral cooperation plan. They also exchanged views on a range of regional security issues. 

At the conclusion of the meeting, the two sides reached agreements to deepen cooperation across a number of professional fields.

During an official visit to India, Lieutenant General Edward Asryan, First Deputy Minister of Defence of Armenia and Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces, met with Rajesh Kumar Singh, India’s Defence Secretary.

During the meeting, Edward Asryan and Rajesh Kumar Singh discussed issues related to Armenia–India cooperation in the field of defence.

Armenia’s Minister of Labour and Social Affairs Arsen Torosyan has received the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria to Armenia, Nikola Nikolov.

The two officials discussed a range of issues of mutual interest in the fields of labour and employment, including labour migration and human capital development.

Minister Torosyan spoke highly of the friendly relations between Armenia and Bulgaria, noting that the existing mutual trust and experience of cooperation provide a solid foundation for deepening sectoral ties and pursuing new initiatives.

Outlining recent reforms in the sector, the minister said Armenia’s labour market is gradually entering a new phase of development- one in which the country is transitioning from being a labour-exporting state to also becoming a labour-receiving one.

Torosyan also noted that Armenia has recorded steady job growth in recent years, contributing to higher employment levels, greater socio-economic activity, and new opportunities for attracting foreign specialists.

At the close of the meeting, the two sides agreed to take practical steps to advance progress in the areas discussed.