KARACHI: The Russian foreign ministry on Tuesday rubbished Pakistani media reports about ‘secret negotiations’ between the two countries regarding cooperation on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).

According to reports circulated last week, the Russian spy chief had paid a visit to Pakistan in order to inspect the Gwadar port.

The reports claimed that Pakistan had authorised Russia to join the $46 billion CPEC after the head of Russian intelligence requested that his country be allowed to join it.

“The Pakistani media reports about secret negotiations between Russia and Pakistan on the implementation of projects as part of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor are not true to the facts,” said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in a press release.

Russia denied holding discussions with Pakistan on the possibility of joining the project.

“Moscow is not discussing the possibility of joining this project [CPEC] with Islamabad,” the Russian foreign ministry said.

“Russia-Pakistan trade and economic cooperation has its own inherent value, and we intend to strengthen it,” said the statement, adding, “Russian companies are implementing business projects in Pakistan, including the planned construction of the North-South gas pipeline from Karachi to Lahore, on a bilateral basis.”

Published in Dawn November 30th, 2016