At the meeting, the Commission decided to assign an additional expert appraisal of the proposal to raise import duties from 5% to 25% on specific types of navigation equipment for users of GLONASS/GPS satellite navigation systems. "Measures to protect Russian manufacturers are among the Commission's priorities," Mr. Zubkov emphasized. "At the same time, raising import duties on any goods, especially consumer goods, should be backed by sound economic strategy, considering, in equal measure, the interests of both manufacturers and consumers," noted Mr. Zubkov.

Commission members justified the proposal on temporarily extending (for nine months) the existing import tariff schedule on specific models of motor vehicles.

In addition, to support the Russian automobile industry, the Commission will recommend that the Russian Government set a zero-rate duty on automatic stamping presses used in manufacturing vehicle body panels.

The Commission agreed with the proposal to apply a progressive scale to nickel export duties. The export duties will be effective at a London Metal Exchange price higher than $12,000.

Finally, the Commission decided it was expedient to recommend that the Russian Government maintain existing import duty rates on terephthalic acid (0%) and polyethylene terephthalate (5%). The commission members also deemed sufficient the existing customs-and-tariffs regulation of incandescent bulbs and mercury vapour lamps. The commission decided to raise import duty rates on kitchen extractor fans and ballast chokes from 0% to 10%, and from 10% to 15 %, respectively, but no less than 0.50 euros per piece.