KIEV, Sept. 16 - The government permitted Naftogaz Ukrayiny, the state oil and gas company, to resume exports of natural gas to Europe that had been suspended for almost three months, a government spokesman said Friday.

The exports were banned Jun 24 amid concerns Ukraine might run into natural gas shortages this year as it hadn't been able to secure enough supplies. The ban was badly hurting Naftogaz, which relies on gas export revenue to repay foreign loans.