A law that will reinforce Gazprom’s monopoly on Russian gas exports gained preliminary approval in Russia’s lower house of parliament on Friday, in a snub to European demands for Russia to open up its pipeline network.

The bill says that Gazexport, the export arm of the state-controlled natural gas giant, should have “exclusive right to export of gas”. It was approved on first reading by 386-6, out of the 450-seat state Duma. The bill must pass through two more readings and gain presidential approval before becoming law, with a second reading set for June 28.