16:49 - 10.02.2026

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February 10, Fineko/abc.az. The European Union intends to reduce its dependence on American payment systems Visa and Mastercard.

ABC.AZ informs that this is reported by the Financial Times with reference to a statement by Martina Weimert, CEO of the European Payment Initiative.

The EU fears that these companies may become an instrument of geopolitical pressure from the U.S. The dominance of American companies poses a risk in the event of deterioration in transatlantic relations, which makes creation of its own payment system a "pan-European priority", Weimert said. Today, 13 EU member states do not have their own alternatives, and where they do, their use is declining.