European competition commissioner Neelie

European competition commissioner Neelie Kroes gives a press conference on April 1, 2009 at EU headquarters in Brussels. The European Union's executive arm dropped its case against Mastercard transaction fees on April 1, ending a 15-month battle that helped sow confusion among banks building a new pan-EU payments system. The battle with Mastercard was part of a wider offensive by Brussels to increase economic growth by making a single market in goods and services more accessible through cheaper banking and payment fees. The EU commission said Mastercard had agreed to reduce certain fees on its credit cards. AFP PHOTO / JOHN THYS (Photo credit should read JOHN THYS/AFP via Getty Images)