Suq tal-pagamenti aktar integrat u effiċjenti fi ħdan l-Unjoni Ewropea

L-eks Prim Ministru u l-Kap tad-Delegazzjoni tal-Partit Laburista fil-Grupp tas-Soċjalisti u d-Demokratiċi Alfred Sant qal li filwaqt li l-hekk imsejjaħ Regolament SEPA jservi bħala l-pedament għaż-żona unika tal-ħlas tal-ewro, l-aġġornament tiegħu biex jakkomoda trasferimenti ta’ kreditu instantanji f’ewro jirrifletti kif qed jinbidlu s-sistemi tal-ħlasijiet. Fl-istess ħin, dan l-aġġornament jippromwovi l-innovazzjoni, l-iżvilupp tas-suq, u żieda fil-kompetizzjoni, huwa nnota.

Instant Payments imsejħa wkoll Real-Time Payments jippermettu li l-flus jiġu trasferiti fi kwalunkwe ħin u fi kwalunkwe ġurnata fi żmien għaxar sekondi. Fl-2022 il-Kummissjoni ressqet proposta għal Regolament dwar trasferimenti ta’ kreditu immedjati f’ewro. Dan jemenda u jimmodernizza r-Regolament tal-2012 taż-żona unika ta’ pagamenti bl-ewro (SEPA) dwar trasferimenti ta’ kreditu standard f’ewro. Ir-Regolament il-ġdid għandu l-għan li jagħmel il-pagamenti instantanji tal-ewro disponibbli globalment u affordabbli, iżid il-fiduċja fit-trasferimenti tal-kreditu u jevita milli jkun hemm nuqqas ta’ qbil fl-ipproċessar tal-pagamenti instantanji tal-ewro.

Alfred Sant innota li l-proposta għandha l-għan li tindirizza l-fatt li madwar l-Unjoni Ewropea, it-trasferimenti ta’ kreditu instantanji li jinqdew bihom bl-ewro għadhom ftit wisq. Barra minn hekk, ir-Regolament ifittex li jsaħħaħ l-effiċjenza, inaqqas il-qasma tas-suq f’biċċiet żgħar, u jipprovdi benefiċċji kemm lill-klijenti tas-servizzi tal-ħlas kif ukoll lil dawk li jipprovdu s-servizz. Dan se jsir billi jiġu stabbiliti l-istess regoli u rekwiżiti tekniċi għal trasferimenti ta’ kreditu immedjati, inkluż għal negozji li jsiru bejn pajjiżi differenti.

Inġenerali, Alfred Sant qabel ma’ dan ir-Regolament għaliex hu konformi mal-għan li jinħoloq suq tal-ħlasijiet aktar integrat u effiċjenti fi ħdan l-Unjoni Ewropea. Fl-istess ħin, jiżgura s-sigurtà u l-aċċessibbiltà ta’ trasferimenti ta’ kreditu immedjati għall-partijiet interessati kollha involuti.

Ir-riżoluzzjoni ġiet adottata b’599 vot favur, 7 voti kontra u 35 astensjoni. Alfred Sant ivvota favur.

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A more integrated and efficient payments market within the European Union

Former Prime Minister and Head of the Labour Party Delegation at the Socialist and Democratic Group Alfred Sant said that while the so-called SEPA Regulation serves as the foundation for the single euro payment area, updating it to accomodate instant credit transfers in euro reflects the evolving nature of payment systems. Concurrently, such an update promotes innovation, market development, and increased competition, he noted. 

Instant Payments also called Real-Time Payments allow the transfer of money at any time of any day within ten seconds. In 2022 the Commission put forward a proposal for a Regulation on instant credit transfers in euro. It amends and modernises the single euro payments area (SEPA) regulation of 2012 on standard credit transfers in euro. The new Regulation aims to make instant euro payments universally available and affordable, increase trust in credit transfers and remove friction in the processing of instant euro payments.

Alfred Sant noted that the proposal aims to address the low uptake of instant credit transfers in euro across the European Union. Additionally, the Regulation seeks to enhance efficiency, reduce market fragmentation, and provide benefits to both payment service users and providers. This will be done by establishing uniform rules and technical requirements for instant credit transfers, including cross-border transaction.

Overall, Alfred Sant agreed with this Regulation because it aligns with the goal of creating a more integrated and efficient payments market within the European Union. At the same time, it ensures the security and accessibility of instant credit transfers for all stakeholders involved.

The resolution was adopted with 599 votes in favour, 7 votes against and 35 abstentions. Alfred Sant voted in favour.