KYIV, Oct 31 – Parliament approved bill No. 2239-1, which is necessary to separate activities for natural gas transportation from Naftogaz Ukrayiny, certify a new independent gas transmission system operator and create conditions for signing a transit contract with Gazprom according to European rules.

Some 341 MPs voted for the relevant decision.

"This is a historic moment in terms of protecting Ukrainian interests. For a very long time we could not build a legislative framework that corresponded to European standards so that we were no longer blackmailed and could ensure long-term gas transportation through Ukraine, the use of the Ukrainian gas transportation system, as well as stable income from these basic funds," Minister of Energy and Environment Protection Oleksiy Orzhel said speaking in parliament.