When someone says “EU”, many first think of
Europe. But this isn’t entirely accurate! The European Union has only twenty-seven member
states, and even though some European countries have long, rich histories with their
EU cousins, they’ve decided to remain outside of the Union. This is the case of
Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland. But why are these three countries, so closely linked to
a shared European identity, not part of the EU? As always, let’s take a look at where
these three countries are on the map. First up is Norway. This Nordic nation sits
right at the top of the Scandinavian Peninsula, with direct access to the
North Sea, the Arctic Circle, and the mouth of the Baltic Sea. Norway
borders two EU members - Finland and Sweden. Second is Iceland. Iceland is by far the
most isolated of the European nations, with many map makers sadly forgetting
to include it in their sketches of the continent. The closest EU neighbour is
Ireland, over 1,400 kilometres away. Last but not least is Switzerland. This is the
country that many forget isn’t part of the EU, as it sits at the heart of the continent and
is surrounded by central EU states - France, Germany, Italy, and Austria all share
a border with this Alpine haven. Let’s take a look at each one’s relationship with
the Union and why they’ve decided not to join. Norway has made attempts to join the EU on two
notable occasions. Initially, the country applied to join what was then called the European
Economic Community (EEC) in 1962. However, when France, under President Charles de Gaulle,
vetoed the UK's application to join the EEC in 1963 and 1967, Norway's bid was indirectly
affected. Since Norway's application was contingent on UK membership, along with
the applications of Denmark and Ireland, Norway decided to suspend its application both
times. Eventually, negotiations successfully concluded in 1972, leading to a referendum
where the Norwegian people voted against joining. A subsequent referendum in 1994 also
saw Norwegians voting against EU membership, albeit by a closer margin. Since then, Norway
has not actively pursued full membership. Several factors contribute to Norway's
hesitation to join the EU: The big problem is Fish. Norway places significant emphasis on
maintaining control over its fisheries sector, which is a vital part of its economy. If Norway
were to join the EU, it would have to follow the EU's Common Fisheries Policy (CFP). This
policy would allow other EU countries to fish in Norwegian waters, albeit with strict rules.
Additionally, Norway would be subject to the EU’s Total Allowable Catches system, designed
for the sustainable management of fish stocks, which might differ from Norway's
preferred management practices. There are also economic concerns beyond
fisheries: Norway's vast natural resources, especially oil and gas, play a pivotal
role in its economy. Some Norwegians are concerned that EU membership might impact
the country's autonomy over these resources. Then there is National Sovereignty:
Many Norwegians are cautious about ceding aspects of their sovereignty to Brussels
and the broader EU administrative structure. So what about Iceland? Iceland applied to join the EU in 2009,
in the aftermath of the financial crisis, with many believing that membership might
offer greater economic stability. However, with a change in government in 2013, the country's direction toward EU accession
shifted, and the application process stalled. Central to Iceland's hesitation, similar to
Norway, is the desire to protect its vital fishing industry from potential disruptions under the
EU's Common Fisheries Policy. Beyond fisheries, concerns about maintaining national
sovereignty, potential impacts on the small but protected agricultural sector,
and the advantages of having control over their own currency have also influenced the
debate. While Icelanders have never voted in a referendum specifically on EU membership,
public sentiment has shifted over time, influenced by both domestic and international
events, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Finally, we come to Switzerland. The Swiss people have traditionally shown limited
interest in joining the EU. In the early 1990s, the government did pursue an application to join the European Economic Area (EEA) — a
stepping stone to EU membership — but after a rejection by the Swiss electorate in
a 1992 referendum, this effort was suspended. In fact, in 2018, a survey found that only 3%
even considered joining the EU a possibility. This reluctance stems not just from their commitment
to neutrality but also from their unique political and economic circumstances. Switzerland's system
of direct democracy, where key decisions are often put to public referendums, makes ceding any
decision-making power to Brussels problematic. Over the years, Switzerland has negotiated a
series of bilateral agreements with the EU, granting them many of the benefits of the
single market without the perceived drawbacks of full membership. These agreements, for many in
Switzerland, represent the 'best of both worlds.' They allow for economic collaboration while
preserving Swiss autonomy. For example, the Swiss cherish their financial autonomy, especially
given the country's status as a global banking and financial hub. Thus, concerns about EU regulations
potentially affecting this sector play a role. And no, unlike some of their Nordic
neighbours, the Swiss reservations aren't about protecting a fishing industry.
After all, fish are pretty safe in the Alps! But what about now? What agreements do these
countries have with the EU in the modern day? None of the three countries
are technically part of the EU, but they're closely tied in various ways. All
three countries are part of the Schengen Area, facilitating passport-free
travel across borders. However, this doesn't automatically grant the right to
work; additional permissions might be required. Both Iceland and Norway are members of the
European Economic Area (EEA), which allows them to participate in the single market. This
means they have to contribute to the EU budget, adopt certain EU laws without having direct
representation in the European Parliament, and are exempt from some EU policies
– notably in areas such as fishing. Switzerland, on the other hand, accesses parts of the single market through a series
of bilateral agreements with the EU. All three, along with Liechtenstein, are members
of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA). Founded in 1960 as an alternative to
the then European Economic Community, which later evolved into the EU, the EFTA aimed
to promote free trade and economic integration. The original members included Denmark,
Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, the UK, and later, Portugal joined the
fold. Today, only four members remain: Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland. EFTA promotes free trade among its members and
with other countries, and its members cooperate closely with the EU, ensuring smooth
trade and collaboration across Europe. So, the big question is: which one of these three countries is
most likely to join the European Union? We don’t believe any of these three countries
will join the EU any time soon, but we know for sure that Switzerland isn’t keen on the idea at
all. Public opinion on joining is incredibly low, and the country’s dedication to neutrality
is simply too fierce. It would take a string of massive geopolitical events to sway
the Swiss people over to a pro-EU side. Overall, Iceland is probably the most likely
to join of the three. As it’s already a part of the EEA, it has close ties to the EU, and a
decisive referendum on joining has never been held. The 2009 recession also showed the Icelandic
people the value the EU’s economic Union offered, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has many looking
to their European neighbours for solidarity. Still, we see no big reason for any of
these countries to join at the moment! They all enjoy close relations with the
EU, take part in many of its agreements, and contribute in their own way to the
European project. The European Union has bigger fish to fry, and these three
are already strong allies as it stands. Do you think these countries should join the
EU? Or would you rather they stay outside for now? Let us know your thoughts in
the comments! If you enjoy short and informative videos about the EU, then please
subscribe and like the video. Until next time.
