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Despite the economic and political benefits, Norway, Switzerland and Iceland prefer to maintain their sovereignty and avoid commitments to the rules imposed by the European Union.
A European Union (EU) is made up of 27 member states. Despite its global influence, some notable European nations have never been part of the bloc. Among them, Switzerland, Norway e Iceland stand out.
An English-language video explored all the reasons behind this decision. While two of these nations maintain a remote possibility of joining, the third has practically ruled out the idea.
Norway
Norway tried to join the European Union on two occasions. The first occurred in 1962, when he applied for membership in European Economic Community (EEC). However, the French veto of the UK's candidacy in 1963 also indirectly affected the Norwegian process.
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In 1972, after lengthy negotiations, the Norwegians held a referendum and rejected membership. A second referendum in 1994 had the same result. result. Since then, the country has not sought to join the bloc.
The main reasons are linked to the economy and sovereignty.”The big problem is the fish”, the video reported. Norway considers it vital to maintain control over its fishing industry, which is essential to the local economy. If it were to join the European Union, the country would have to adopt the Union's common fisheries policy.
Furthermore, Norway is rich in oil and gas, resources that are essential to its economy. Many fear that joining would compromise its autonomy over these assets.”For Norwegians, preserving national sovereignty is crucial. There is a reluctance to cede aspects of their autonomy to the administration in Brussels.".
Iceland
Iceland, located between the North Atlantic and Arctic oceans, sought to join the EU in 2009, shortly after the global financial crisis. It was hoped that membership would bring greater economic stability. However, in 2013, with a change in government, interest waned and the application process was abandoned.
Like Norway, Iceland is concerned about its fishing industry, which plays a central role in the economy. Robben points out that issues such as sovereignty and control of the national currency also influence the debate.
While membership could bring economic benefits, many Icelanders fear losing autonomy over strategic sectors.
Another relevant factor was the impact of international events, such as Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which shaped public opinion in the country. Despite this, Icelanders never held a specific referendum on membership.
Switzerland
Switzerland, known for its historical neutrality, is perhaps the most resistant to the idea of joining the EU. In 1992, after a referendum, the Swiss rejected the proposal to join the European Economic Area, which weakened any future plans for membership.
The country's tradition of neutrality is just one of the factors that explain this stance. The Swiss political system, based on direct democracy, makes it problematic to transfer decision-making power to Brussels.
Despite being outside the EU, Switzerland maintains a close relationship with the bloc through bilateral agreements.
These treaties guarantee access to the single market without the obligations of full membership. For many Swiss, this approach represents an ideal balance between economic benefits and political independence.
Recent polls show that EU membership has extremely low support in the country. Switzerland is not interested, and public opinion on the issue is clear.
Uncertain Future of European Union Membership
Looking at the chances of Switzerland, Norway and Iceland joining the EU, it is unlikely that any of these countries will join the bloc any time soon. However, we know that Switzerland is even further away from this possibility.
Norway and Iceland have closer relations with the EU and may consider membership at some point. However, their concerns about natural resources, economics and sovereignty make integration a significant challenge. Switzerland, on the other hand, appears to be completely satisfied with its current status.
These decisions reflect each nation's priorities in balancing its economic, political and cultural interests with the benefits of greater integration. While the European Union remains one of the world's most influential blocs, some European nations continue to choose alternative paths.
The European Union (EU) currently consists of 27 member countries. This number was reduced from 28 to 27 in 2020, following the departure of the United Kingdom, an event known as 'Brexit'.
