The AAR group of Soviet-born billionaires said Wednesday they would welcome state oil company OAO Rosneft (ROSN.RS) as a partner in TNK-BP (TNBP.RS) if BP PLC (BP) decides to sell the oil giant its 50% share in Russia 's No.3 crude producer, Interfax reported.

"I don't see a big problem if BP decides to sell its share in TNK-BP to Rosneft. We ( AAR ) have many synergies with Rosneft. I don't think there's anything bad in it--the capitalization of TNK-BP will only grow," Interfax quoted one of the company's shareholders as saying, without naming them.

Rosneft Tuesday said it is in talks with BP to buy the U.K. oil company's stake in TNK-BP, which has been marred by disputes with AAR . Analysts said the announcement raised the pressure on AAR , which has said it was interested in buying half of BP's stake.

The Interfax report came from Skolkovo, the government's high-tech center outside Moscow , where AAR shareholder Viktor Vekselberg is a sponsor.

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