(Adds Putin quotes, background)
MOSCOW, April 14 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin saidon Thursday the Russian government was searching for a strategicinvestor to buy a 19 percent stake in global top oil producerRosneft as part of a privatisation plan.
"We will be searching for a strategic partner whounderstands and knows that one should not be greedy whilebuying, let's say, 19 percent of shares in Rosneft," Putin toldreporters after his annual televised phone-in.
"That (partner) should not pay attention to the currentshare price but should look into the future," he added. "If wefind such a partner ... then we will take this step."
State-controlled Rosneft, in which BP owns 19.75percent, is on a Russian government list of companies slated forprivatisation in 2016 in order to prevent the state budgetdeficit from ballooning.
Russian Economy Minister Alexei Ulyukayev said on Wednesdaylegal advisers had been chosen for Rosneft's privatisation.
For highlights from Putin's phone-in, click on (Reporting by Maria Tsvetkova and Anton Zverev; Writing byMaria Kiselyova; Editing by Jack Stubbs)
BP (BP.)
