The Russian Embassy in Islamabad has denied media reports of Russia planning to join the China Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
In a Facebook post, the Russian Embassy referred to some media reports in which Russian Ambassador to Pakistan Alexey Dedov was quoted as telling Radio Pakistan that Moscow was mulling over merging the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) with CPEC.
“In connection with the information published in certain newspapers that the Ambassador of the Russian Federation Alexey Dedov in his interview to Radio Pakistan informed about discussions concerning merging the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) project with the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) the Embassy would like to make the following clarification.
“In the mentioned interview (with Radio Pakistan) the ambassador said that it was the issue of merging the EAEU with the Chinese project of the Silk Road Economic Belt that was under discussion,” the Russian Embassy post said.
“Recognizing the importance of the CPEC Project for the Pakistani economy and regional connectivity, the ambassador made it clear that Russia doesn’t participate in it being engaged in realization of its own large-scale bilateral project with Pakistan – that of “North-South” gas pipeline from Karachi to Lahore,” it added.
The statement also referred to a press release issued by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where Moscow denied any talks with Pakistan to participate in the CPEC.
“In this connection the Embassy would also like to attract attention to the Press-Release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation from November 29, 2016, saying that Moscow is not discussing the possibility of joining this project with Islamabad. Russia-Pakistan trade and economic cooperation has its own inherent value, and we intend to strengthen it,” it said.
On Nov. 29, the Russian Foreign Ministry had denied that any “secret talks” were being held on the CPEC between Moscow and Islamabad.
“Reports appearing in Pakistan’s media about some ‘secret talks’ between Russia and Pakistan on the creation of China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC) do not correspond to the realities. The possibility of Russia’s joining this initiative is not being discussed with Islamabad,” the statement issued by Russian Foreign Ministry said.
