The TARGET system is defined as a payment system composed of one RTGS system in each of the countries which participate in stage three of EMU and the European Central Bank (ECB) payment mechanism. RTGS systems of non-participating countries may also be connected, provided that they are able to process the euro alongside their national currency. The domestic RTGS systems and the ECB payment mechanism are interconnected according to common procedures (“interlinking”) to allow cross-border transfers throughout the European Union to move from one system to another system.