Payment systems in countries that have applied for membership of the European Union - "Blue Book"

The European Central Bank (ECB) is today releasing to the public a report entitled "Payment systems in countries that have applied for membership of the European Union". The publication has been prepared in co-operation with the central banks of Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia. It provides comprehensive information on the major payment and securities settlement systems operating in the applicant countries.

Each country chapter provides an overview of institutional and legal aspects of the payment systems and information on the roles of those involved. In addition, it provides extensive descriptions of the payment media used by non-banks, interbank exchange and settlement systems, and securities settlement systems. The statistical tables provide country-specific data for the years 1993 to 1997, while the comparative tables covering all 11 countries are based on figures for 1996 and 1997.

The publication will be available from 2 p.m. in English at the ECB Internet address www.ecb.int.

CNB - Public Relations Division