KIEV, Aug. 14 – Parliament Thursday approved a bill allowing U.S. and European companies to modernize and to manage the country’s vast natural gas pipeline and gas storage infrastructure.

The bill, backed by 228 lawmakers in the 450-seat Parliament, was approved in the final reading.

The bill allows European or US companies to control 49% stake in a consortium that would operate the Ukrainian gas transportation system. The Ukrainian government will control 51% stake.