Brussels, 14/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - Meeting with Industry Commissioner Günter Verheugen in Bremen on Friday 11 September, representatives of member states, the European naval industry and the unions assessed the situation in the sector which has been severely affected by the global economic and financial crisis. The delicate situation is illustrated by the unprecedented collapse, of the order of 90%, in demand for new vessels, and the threat to almost 15,000 jobs in the EU. Faced with this massive challenge, naval sector stakeholders agreed that the long-term thrust of the LeaderSHIP 2015 initiative, which focuses on the need to strengthen R&D and innovation to produce safe and environmentally sound vessels, and also to protect intellectual property and ensure competition on the world market, remains valid. Participants at the meeting, nevertheless, agreed that it was important, in the light of the current crisis, to adopt further measures to alleviate short-term pressure on this strategic industrial sector in order to ensure there is a critical mass. (E.H./transl.rt)