BRUSSELS, Nov. 3 (Xinhua) -- The European Union said Tuesday that banks now offer customers the possibility of making regular payments under the new Single Euro Payment Area Direct Debit plan.

    For the first time, consumers and businesses will be able to make direct debit transactions between different countries in the euro area, the EU said in a press release.

    The EU set up new rules, which support the industry-led plan, on payment services and cross-border payments. They are designed to ensure that SEPA Direct Debits will be as easy, efficient and secure as national plans without being more expensive.

    "This is another significant achievement on the road towards a Single Euro Payments Area. Thanks to industry's efforts and a solid legal platform at EU level, direct debit payments can now be made between different countries in the euro area -- good news for consumers, for businesses and for the economy as a whole," said Charlie McCreevy, the internal market and services commissioner.

    With SEPA, citizens, companies and other economic actors will be able to make and receive payments in euros, within Europe, whether between or within national boundaries under the same basic conditions, rights and obligations, regardless of their location.

    It is an initiative of the European banking industry, with the support of the European Commission and the European Central Bank, which seeks to create an integrated euro payments area and ensure that cross-border payments are as easy and efficient as domestic ones. SEPA covers credit transfers, payment cards and direct debit.