- EU member states want to make it easier for consumers to pay in shops, and to make e-commerce transactions widely available
- The Council adopted conclusions that respond to the retail payments strategy for the EU presented by the Commission in September 2020
- Council lends its full support to the overall aims of the strategy, such as ensuring a competitive and innovative retail payments market in the EU
- The Council also highlights the many challenges to take into account when further developing and regulating the market
- The conclusions set out the Council’s detailed priorities under the four ‘pillars’ for strategic action outlined by the Commission
- The Council gives the Commission a strong political mandate for pushing forward initiatives across these fields
European Council: Endorses EU instant payment plans
