KARACHI: The Russian foreign ministry on Tuesday rubbished Pakistani media reports about `secret negotiations` between the two countries regarding cooperation on the China-Pakistan E conomic Corridor (CPE C).

According to reports circulated last week, the Russian spy chief had paid a visit to Pakistanin order toinspect the Gwadar port.

The reports claimed that Pakistanhad 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 join-ing the project.

`Moscow is not discussing the possibility of joining this project [CPECJ 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.