TEHRAN -- A member of Russian State Duma or Lower House of the Parliament said Wednesday that the Russian deputies welcomed and supported a proposal by Russian President Vladimir Putin to form an alliance of Asian and European natural gas producing countries.

Putin set the proposal in a meeting with the Turkmen President Sapar Murat Niyazev.

Sergey Glaziev, the vice-chairman of the State Duma's Economic Commission, said the formation of a union of Asian and European gas producers can replicate the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

Considering the view that Russia has the world's largest gas reserves Putin's proposal is logical, he said.

The lawmaker said the formation of such a coalition can help coordinate policies regarding gas pricing in the world markets.