MasterCard’s mobile partnerships in Europe have been multiplying as of late. PYMNTS.com spoke to Javier Perez, President of MasterCard Europe, about the company’s European strategy for the next year, as well as the company’s take on the controversial topic of interchange fees in the European Union.

MasterCard’s mobile partnerships in Europe have been multiplying as of late. PYMNTS.com spoke to Javier Perez, President of MasterCard Europe, about the company’s European strategy for the next year, as well as the company’s take on the controversial topic of interchange fees in the European Union.

Perez said that MasterCard’s main strategy is to “make sure we get the mobile ecosystem…in place.” Perez declared, “I think next year is going to be the year in which mobile is going to happen.”

MasterCard has pursued the first part of its mobile strategy in Europe, and around the world, by partnering with the main mobile operators. “We believe that the telcos will be stakeholders in the m-commerce arena,” said Perez. The second part of the strategy is to develop the PayPass technology and physical acceptance throughout Europe in the next year.

MasterCard remains positive in relation to the European market, despite the financial and political turmoil sweeping the continent. An important prepaid focus has helped the payments giant adapt to changing consumer payment habits and to respond to the challenges of the crisis. “It’s not that we are absent of the crisis…but we are positioned to perform relatively well, in spite of the crisis,” Perez added.

To listen to Perez speak on MasterCard’s take interchange fees in the EU, the company’s European strategy for 2013, and more, check out the podcast below.

Javier Perez is president of MasterCard Europe, and a member of the MasterCard Management Council. Mr. Perez is responsible for the Europe Region, encompassing 53 countries and serving 9,000 MasterCard financial institutions. Before taking up his present role, Mr. Perez was president of the Latin America and Caribbean (LAC) region. Previously, Mr. Perez was the general manager of the Customer Division for MasterCard Europe. He was responsible for all regional business developments in Europe including branding, distribution, sponsorship and products. He joined MasterCard in 1996.

A native of Spain, Mr. Perez has masters’ degrees from the ESADE University, Spain and Thunderbird School of Global Management USA, for whom he is a Fellow of the Board. He is also a member of the board of Prepay Solutions Limited, based in the UK.