Brussels, 01/07/2013 (Agence Europe) - On 28 June, the European Commission began a public consultation on research and innovation in the rail sector. The Commission has called on stakeholders from the sector to develop an opinion on the problems they encounter so that the industry can remain competitive and contribute to the completion of a single European railway area. To that end, the Commission is not ruling out European coordination of operational and supply practices. The initiative envisaged by the European Commission could affect a number of players in the railway sector (manufacturers, infrastructure managers, operators, certification agencies, etc.), as well as the academic world and, ultimately, passengers. Stakeholders are invited to give their views within the framework of the public consultation by 19 September. (MD/transl.fl)