MOSCOW. Jan 2 (Interfax) - Russia has proposed holding special hearings at the European Parliament regarding the transit of Russian natural gas to Western Europe through Ukraine, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told Interfax on Friday.

"Russia and the European Union are maintaining intensive contacts on the supplies of Russian gas to the EU countries. Russia sent an address to European Parliament President Hans-Gert Poettering on January 2 to propose that, taking into account the seriousness of the situation, special hearings on the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine be held at the European Parliament," Grushko said.

"Gazprom officers are prepared to travel to Brussels immediately and provide full information on the matter," he said.

The European Commission has also been officially informed that Gazprom plans to send its representatives to all the EU countries to discuss the problem with their authorities and other parties concerned, he said.

"We expect a swift and constructive response to our constructive proposals," he said.

"Russia would like all our partners to have as much clarity as possible about what happened between Gazprom and Naftogaz. As regards the gas supplies, Russia is acting in full compliance with the energy security principles endorsed at the G8 summit in St. Petersburg and all other understandings existing with the European Union now," he said.

"Our position is absolutely transparent and balanced," Grushko said.