OREANDA-NEWS. The utilization fee, which is collected in Russia from September 1, 2012, was one of the themes discussed during the negotiations with the EU, held in Moscow on March 21-22. The European Commission did not object to the model developed by the Russian government to level conditions of the importers and car manufacturers. 

 In addition, during the negotiations, Russian officials said that the size of the utilization fee will not be reduced. The Europeans did not argue with this, although earlier they offered to lower the rate.

 The participants of the European delegation also did not object to the idea of the Russian government to introduce compensation for automakers operating in the regime of industrial assembly (gives privileges to import components), because after the transition on the common fee payment, the conditions of the earlier signed investment agreements will be deteriorated. Commission members were reminded that the majority of these agreements were signed with the European car manufacturers.

 If the government had reduced the utilization fee, than in addition to the import increase it would reduce the interest of foreign auto companies in Russia to create new and develop the existing facilities, says a top manager of one of the Russian automakers.