On 9 November 2021, Poland, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands adopted a joint statement supporting the European Payments Initiative (EPI).
EPI is a private initiative joined by over 30 institutions (mainly banks). Its purpose is to deliver a common, pan-European payment solution, combining card-based and digital instant payment solutions. EPI aims to remove the current fragmentation of the payment solution market, and make the EU market independent from solutions offered by non-European actors, both at points of sale and online.
The signatories to the statement indicate that an integrated, open market for electronic payment solutions, with no distinction between national and cross-border payments, is necessary for advancing the internal market. This would increase competition and innovation, with potential gains for the consumer.
Moreover, the establishment of the EPI is a matter of strategic autonomy in the market. A European-grown common payment solution would reduce risks and vulnerabilities in retail payment systems and would contribute to keep control over sensitive payments data, thereby better protecting EU citizens.
Source: https://www.gov.pl/web/finanse/polska-popiera-europejska-inicjatywe-platnosci-epi