Russia's Svyaz seeks Sistema's Sky Link-paper

MOSCOW, July 7 (Reuters) Russian fixed-line telecoms monopoly Svyazinvest is in talks to acquire cellular operator Sky Link, half-owned by Moscow services conglomerate Sistema (SSAq.L), Vedomosti business newspaper said on Tuesday.

The Vedomosti report said that talks had been confirmed by a representative of one of the two controlling groups in Sky Link. Vedomosti's source said that Svyazinvest is not the only party interested in buying Sky Link.

Sistema and unlisted RDTC each own 50 percent of Sky Link.

"Sky Link is among a number of assets of interest to Svyazinvest," a Svyazinvest press office representative said by telephone.

Sistema declined to comment.

Rostelekom (ROS.N)(RTKM.MM), which is controlled by Svyazinvest, withdrew an application with the state anti-monopoly office to buy Sky Link in March.

Sky Link has $600 million dollars of mostly short term debt and the current owners will need to reach an agreement on restructuring before a deal can be completed, Vedomosti said, citing a source close to Svyazinvest.

Sky Link had more than 700,000 subscribers in July last year. (Reporting by Moscow newsroom; Editing by Greg Mahlich)