Why Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland REFUSE to Join the EU

There are several countries in Europe that, while they maintain friendly relationships with the countries in the EU, are not, in fact, members themselves. Three of the most notable examples of this are the nations of Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland. But why is that? Why, in the decades since the EU was formed, have these countries opted to stay out of it? Watch now to find out!
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[@jimbøb-i9q]

Geeez .. Map on thumbnail includes UK, UKRAINE and BELARUS in EU .. but forgets Cyprus ... How can anyone take this seriously..??

[@nikki-op4xj]

its geo politico for muricans ! cyprus is a plant and ukraine is somewhere in russia but they not sure where

[@StevenHughes-hr5hp]

Belarus should be granted membership.

[@jimbøb-i9q]

@@StevenHughes-hr5hp Maybe one sunny day when Belarus has escaped Ruzzia´s stranglehold on the country..

[@TheAllMightyGodofCod]

"refuse"... Refuse would imply that someone asked or even tryed to force them to be part of the EU... they didn't refuse, they simply didnt apply to join.... Also, Norway is part of the Schengen area so, your explanation doesn't quite add up.

[@davidbresson8716]

About Norway I think one of the reasons is also that Norway for most of its history was part of either Denmark or Sweden and only got full independence in 1905, which means that their national pride is very strong compared to other nations. The same goes for Iceland btw which got independence from Denmark as late as in 1944.

[@kremepye3613]

Most countries joined up by stealth by the oligarchies and bent politicians. Norways constitution protected her and thank god for that, this is the best country in the world and I'd like it to stay that way. It's like somalia over the border in sweden now.

[@ThatN0RWEGlAN]

As a Norwegian I’m gonna tell you why it’s the fish

[@Glenn-hm8sb]

​@@ThatN0RWEGlAN As a Norwegian. I Will say you are right 😅

[@Glenn-hm8sb]

Danmark or Sweeden never removed the Norwegian population out of our country. The exeption is Iceland. Same people. The Icelandic people are over 97% Norwegian genetically speaking. We have the most in common with Iceland. Both historically and geneticlly. Even better than that. The Icelandic language is basically old Norwegian.

[@reneskaaning5751]

Why would they want to join that circus called the EU, absolutely useless union not much democracy there

[@Richardglendenning]

The European country closest to Iceland is Norway. The shortest distance between the two countries is from Iceland’s southeastern coast to Norway’s southwestern coast, specifically between Iceland and the Norwegian island of Jan Mayen. The approximate distance is around 970 kilometers (600 miles).

[@zardi9083]

Switzerland ain't in france brother

[@TheSietch]

Norway: the country export what the EU buys (oil, gas, hydroelectric power, fish). Norway just don’t share interest with the EU.

[@Glenn-hm8sb]

The Day EU can fish all over in Norwegian waters,... that will be the Day Cod would dissapear. Norway has the most important breeding ground for Cod in the world. Keeping EU out is the same as protecting against overfishing. 5

[@fvhitman4hire]

Smart move.. If they join, they will pay the debts of the struggling members and get nothing in return 😂

[@TheAllMightyGodofCod]

That comment is extremely ignorant of how the EU actually works....

[@alukurd]

@@TheAllMightyGodofCod No thats how it works. And we are sick of EU control

[@TheAllMightyGodofCod]

@@alukurd no we are not. And you surely aren't either as you don't even live in the EU.... Have a nice Sunday.

[@koangamer2756]

UK is not a member eu no more

[@kremepye3613]

Best thing norway ever did was not be fooled to join, recently the government of norway has ammended the constitution by stealth to allow joining the EU. They must be paying AP alot of money.

[@jubmelahtes]

Norway have 500 years of bad experience with unions. We've understood that it's best to just go at it alone than risk turning into a peripheral colony yet again

[@jdjphotographynl]

Long story short; because Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland don't need the EU badly enough to join them.

[@ProgressIsTheOnlyEvolution]

True, but not joining the EU has been bad for the UK

[@TheAllMightyGodofCod]

Wrong. Because they have such a good relationship with the EU (and vice versa) that they don't need to join, nor do we need them to. We all get along just fine. Like that couple that live happily together but never felt the need to actually sign the wedding papers.

[@Tommuli_Haudankaivaja]

There are also some nations in the EU who don't have good relations with the rest of EU.

[@theseventhangel9768]

Either upload longer videos or create shorts you can't explain a topic like EU membership in 5 minutes

[@_macedonian]

Because they're smart🎉

[@TelephotoTom]

That thumbnail is hilarious. Just speaks to the "quality" of this channel.

[@achimrecktenwald9671]

Why is the UK displayed in blue. Brexit should have turned it grey.

[@DrBiBeatz]

2:30 oh I see

[@tummas1980]

Icelands closest neighbour is the Faroe Islands (which also is not at EU member)

[@wildsurfer12]

Why have you drawn the UK’s border wrong at the start of the video?

[@atklm1]

It’s the countries that we want as a part of EU that are not too keen on joining. Those who we don’t really want that much almost demand that they get to be in EU. Isn’t it ironic? It’s like rain on your wedding day, it’s 1000 Serbias, when all you need is Switzerland..

[@silverbowftw5225]

LOL

[@gerard5723]

2:59 Putting brussels in calais xdd

[@StevenHughes-hr5hp]

Why would they want to? All three of those countries seem economically successful. Why join a multinational imperial structure even a liberal one?

[@holmaringi-skolin253]

More people wants to join eu than not in Iceland, but from some odd reason our government newer listens to there people

[@JesperMilling]

"REFUSE" as if they were coerced to join.

[@maybehuman4]

The biggest problem with the EU is it's massive bureaucracy, especially in the fishing sector. Notice the nations who resist the EU (UK included) have huge maritime borders. A simpler organization like NATO makes much more sense for Europe.

[@TokerJoker420]

There is just no use for The EU. Today

[@maybehuman4]

@@TokerJoker420 The EU's biggest win was forcing Apple to adopt a standard USB port. As much of an accomplishment as that is, was it worth the expense and bureaucracy? 😆

[@TokerJoker420]

@@maybehuman4 talk about pain in the ass hahaha

[@jimbøb-i9q]

@@TokerJoker420 you´re not very smart, are you..?

[@paologat]

@@maybehuman4you are mistaken about EU bureaucracy. A key purpose of the EU is to prevent member states from tying each other up with incompatible rules. Compared to 27 national bureaucracies, EU’s is simple. This frees up a lot of red tape, which EU members can and do use to influence third countries and multinational corporations way beyond EU borders. Apple is just an example; CE as a whole is far more relevant. Meanwhile, Brexitannia is slowly adjusting to its new status as rule taker.

[@eirik874]

It's never been more hate for eu in norway than it is today. People wants out of the free trade deal as well since eu is deciding rules for us even when we aren't in the eu

[@motorhead-pp7el]

EU has become a control freak full of bureaucracy and not just economic partnership as advertised in the beginning. EU is regulating all sorts of things, big and small, would not be surprised if in a few years they will only allow one kind of toilet paper and regulate how much you can use per trip to the WC

[@julianshepherd2038]

Relations with the EU are many and comlex but being in the Single Market but not the EU is fine. It is not an empire.

[@spankie7728]

hey from norway ... and yeah i never wanna join EU ... why ... they need norway ALOT more then norway .... needs them .... this have been true ... for years on years .. but ... thanks to the idiot in the east " russia " the EU needs norway even more ....and this means ... no way from norway ....

[@pieterjan29]

But Norway already joined long ago. They have the same law like we, same market rules etc. The only difference is that you guys don't want to vote for new laws. And for fish and oil.. Maby after 2050 when we don't need oil anymore you guys can hold a referendum.

[@BetalerIkkeSkatt]

@@pieterjan29I feel we should vote on it no matter what. Two whole new generations are born now who have never voted on joining the EU or not. It probably will still be a no but the politicians are refusing to even let us vote on it.

[@pabr2405]

@@BetalerIkkeSkatt 80% of our politicians wants to join EU really bad, there is a reasen why they have not asked for a vote. They know to majority of people will say no. A seat in Brussels what good will that do, members veto right is problaby going away soon. Norway has everything to loose and very little too gain.

[@spankie7728]

@@pabr2405 indeed and we are in EFTA not EU .... so we get the good things we want .... and not the crap we dont want :)

[@Klatko77]

You are in Schengen, so basically you have almost all the advantages already. Why would you give up your autonomy and let bureaucrats from Brussels to decide how to do your agriculture, mining, fishing etc. Globalist already pushing their agendas anyway. Pls Norway stay that way and stay strong, I love your country......always beautiful holidays and trips there.

[@bhoogvliet]

Because they saw a sinken ship before boarding it

[@JSFGuy]

It's that time again

[@ARIXANDRE]

Thank you for skipping the whole BREXIT fiasco in this video. 🙏🏻

[@Apsolution1]

Fake thumbnail

[@kilik1532]

Why join EU when you have a better quality of living?

[@rogaineablar5608]

Iceland is closer to Scotland than Ireland.

[@PeterBuvik]

Technically Iceland And Norway are EU members we just aren't represented in the European PARLIAMENT

[@ollierkul]

No, we technically are not. We are however part of EFTA and EEA.

[@beelzeduck]

@@ollierkul EEA is commonly considered a "membership light". Sure, we retain some idependence, but we also agree to rules and regulations. Sometimes even to the surprise of otherwise EU positive political parties here in Norway, as demonstrated by the NAV scandal, where failure to observe the regulations on free movement relating to welfare landed a bunch of Norwegian citizens in jail for "fraud" - when in fact it was the government that defrauded their own citizens. Over the course of more than two decades (!), since they rules basically were the same since the ratification of the EEA. Also, to the annoyance of the most avid opposition to the EU, there is stable and broad support for the EEA. So, we're sort of in an open relationship with the EU. Or membership light.

[@ollierkul]

@@beelzeduck Why bother writing a whole rant on this? Its a simple matter of fact that we are not "technically part of the EU". Argue the details and benefits we do or do not gain all you want, but it's just not relevant.

[@beelzeduck]

@@ollierkul it is if and when one is talking with avid "Nei til EU"-members. They most _certainly_ regard us as members, what with their questioning the constitutionality of the EEA - or even naming Gro as "traitorous" and whatnot. That you do not think it is relevant _is itself irrelevant_ . As long as considerable amounts of our population find it of relevance: it is. And there are no points to any argument on the internets. On rare occasions meaningful consersation may be had. But it is mostly, and particularly here on youtubes dysfunctional comments section, something done either in response to annoyance - or to cause exactly that.

[@ollierkul]

@@beelzeduck People's personal opinions have zero relevance when it comes to technical details and facts. We could have a whole conversation about what our agreements mean for us, but that's off topic in this particular matter, and something to be discussed another place and day.

[@skylineXpert]

So that means i travel to a non-eu member & can buy tax free at the airport if i go to iceland or norway? Booze & cigs a-gogo...

[@justsomeguy5103]

It absolutely does. Tax-free stores (particularly on arrival) are a major source of funding for Norwegian airports, due to the high taxes on alcohol and tobacco landside. You are unlikely to pass any tax-free stores before you arrive though, since those are usually located in the non-Schengen section of airports, and NO/IS/CH are all in Schengen. Åland has stayed outside the EU for this exact reason. Most passenger ships between Sweden and Finland or Estonia make a short stop there in the middle of the night, which allows them to sell tax-free onboard.

[@Aqollo]

48 years. Everyone below this age in Norway, haven't had a chance to vote on EU-membership. It's starting to feel undemocratic, as some parties are actively working against a new membership debate. Polls show a majority wants to become full EU members.

[@jubmelahtes]

It's been 119 years since the people voted to have a monarchy and not a Republic. do you think that's undemocratic? Just as polls indicate that there's vast support for the monarchy, polls also indicate that the wast majority is also against joining the EU (nearly 60% oppose). It simply doesn't make sense to have a referendum for something that so few want.

[@Aqollo]

@jubmelahtes Actually yes. There are quite a number of people I Norway that would prefer a republic. Especially amongst younger generations.

[@rosscooper7778]

Intentionally false title, shame on you

[@kimdani1795]

They are too Rich

[@wat6625]

As a Norwegian here, when we needed help, noone came, nor will we make The Communist EU richer

[@vebjsand]

Norway is essentially already an EU memeber in most ways via the EEA, but without sharing the currency, and without giving the EU any say in the usage of our resources. Which is surprising after 2 referendums overwhelmingly saying no to a membership, make of that what you will. The EU is about building up the entire continent. The rich, powerful countries in the west such as Germany, France, UK, Netherlands etc. have contributed insane amounts to bring up the standards in partially southern Europe, and especially eastern Europe. And as countries reach a certain economic standard they are expected to increase their contributions for other up-and-coming countries. So back in the 50s-80s this was adventageous for the big western countries in order to form a sort of a shield against soviet expansion and communism, and great for the countries that were struggling and got huge contributions to their infrastructure paid for by for example the French. This is one of the arguments that the Brexit movement focused on; the fact that the UK has been contributing huge amounts to the EU in general, in specific developing nations, but what did the UK get in return? Basically just some decent trade agreements + Schengen agreement, that given some time they can likely replace on their own (more reliance on the US and India in particular). So Norway, as a rich, developed nation that is carefully managing its resources better than most, is not willing to let some corrupt, obscure, abstract people in Brussels decide to ravage our resources so that some country we have no real relations with can prosper without giving anything in return. Especially in a time where an increasing amount of people feel like it almost doesn't matter who you vote for and which party rules hardly affects your life. So adding another layer of politics or (expensive) bureaucracy will only make that worse. In short, Norway doesn't want to lose its money and success in the name of building up Europe as a whole - atleast not via the rule of Brussels.

[@shaunwebster4713]

Block the the French from too in the future

[@beelzeduck]

Wat? "the the French"? Blocking? From too?

[@maurotinord]

Because these 3 nations are wise enough to learn from other nations' failures.

[@KitagumaIgen]

Exactly! Look at the failing Czech fishing industry...

[@adineatha9766]

A majority in Iceland actually wants to join the EU. The UK wants to rejoin the EU. Norway has an entire generation who haven't voted on the matter.

[@globglogabgalab961]

Yet, 70% of young norwegians are againts EU. Greetings, from a young norwegian

[@iamthe1234567890]

Because a country cannot not sovereign unless it controls its own borders. In the UK, we voted Brexit because of immigration, immigration, immigration.

[@larsbjrnson3101]

That's why you can't control your border. Funny that.

[@justinmartin1666]

FIRST COMMENT AND FIRST LIKE:🩵🥇❤⭐️🩷🎖️💘🏆

[@JSFGuy]

Wrong again, self-congratulatory back padding for a false claim to a contest that is not exist

[@JSFGuy]

Doubt

[@alexandernaydenov7539]

nah this video is not even funny only fakes

[@usa1mac]

The EU was a great idea initially, but has turned into a bureaucratic nightmare. More government is not the recipe for prosperity.

[@beelzeduck]

But there is _less_ bureaucratic red tape as a whole. The amount of bureocracy business has to overcome in order to export their products is _easier_ with the common market. Citizens of member countries (or the EEA) do not have to apply for visas for visiting another of the countries. And other forms of cooperation. We got a light version of the before times during the pandemic. The various European countries are perfectly capable of creating inefficient bureaucracy whether or not part of the EU. Politicians make (possibly unnecessarily) complex rules everywhere. Heck, even countries like the US manages that - excelling at having _pivatized_ bureaucracy in areas like health or prisons _as well_ as having public bureacracy.

[@Ceiteach.O.Duibhir]

My country 🇮🇪 should've chose to do the same as 🇨🇭🇳🇴🇮🇸🇱🇮, rather than join the eu in 73 😡

[@CKW10001]

Nope. Ireland received huge amounts of EU funds for farmers, roads and infrastructure. Ireland was one of the major beneficiary of the EU in terms of subsidies up until around 2013 when Ireland became a net contributor to the EU budget. If you keep forgetting that then you are truly lost. Ireland gets representation at EU level on the council of Europe also and that was more evident through the Brexit negotiations. Also when the EU tried to impose a minimum corporate tax, Ireland was at the fore front of negotiation where all companies pay 15% except for multi national companies who still pay 12.5% in Ireland. If Ireland wasn't a member of the EU there would have been 20% tax rate on all companies and Ireland wouldn't have received so much economic funding for farmers and infrastructure it had for 40 years.

[@ivanivic9901]

Norwegian fears that Bruxelles will take over their oil and gas fields are baseless. The EU has not taken over Scottish or Romanian gas and oil fieldes because they are under the sovereignty of the national state. The sovereignty of Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland would be greater as part of a more powerful whole. Brexit Britain has learned this lesson well. These states are participate in many EU policies, but with the difference that they do not have a seat at the table where decisions are made, but they must pay EU membership fees.

[@forsakenstar101]

why should someone in europe make laws for people not in the same region ?

[@ivanivic9901]

@@forsakenstar101 Very simply, if a country outside the EU wants to sell its services and products in the duty-free market of half a billion consumers, it must pay a membership fee and accept the rules established by the 27 member states.

[@theprofessional155]

@@ivanivic9901you failed to mention that Switzerland has direct democracy which does not comply with eu laws on elections . Their gun culture and gun rights are under threat from it as well as their foreign policy . Do you think Switzerland will still be neutral as part of the eu ?

[@ivanivic9901]

@@theprofessional155 Switzerland does not have direct democracy, at least not in the sense of ancient direct democracy where Athenians decided on every issue by voting. Switzerland has a representative parliament and a government elected in free elections. In this aspect, it is no different from other European democracies. The EU does not deal with issues such as weapons. Finnish citizens also have large quantities of weapons in their homes. This issue is regulated by national legislation, not European. Austria is a neutral country, but it is still a member of the EU.

[@theprofessional155]

@@ivanivic9901 Thats not true. Austria and Switzerland even though they are neutral couuntries were heavily pressured to put sanctions on Russia during the Ukraine war. Thats not really being neutral. Hungary on the other hand tried to buy oil from Russia and was threatened with sanctions by other EU nations. You say that these countries don't lose their neutrality but they very much do. I'm not here to defend Russia. The only thing im saying is that being in the EU does not mean you can be neutral. As for direct democracy Switezrland holds referedums on so many issues which do not comply with EU regulations. I remember a number of years ago when Nigel Farage said the EU was building its own army and he was called a conspriacy theorist. Now its actually happening. So how can you have an EU army and countries can be neutral? Swizterland has a militia system with its military very different from the rest of the EU and they do not want that. Their numerous referendums can also be overturned if they do not comply with EU law which superseeds national law. Additionally there is the matter of not being able to choose your own immigration policy. Switerzland already complies with alot of the EU's regulations but its still pressured. Just look at Hungary and Poland and how much they were threatened in the EU parliament when they closed their borders. Swizterland has been fine for hudnreds of years on its own and it will be just fine without the EU.

[@k.a.stensson]

The Ukrainian war has changed a lot of minds in Norway when it comes to joining EU.. We're more open to it now than ever before.

[@grasker]

Nope. Never joining EU. We are nato member and dont need eu

[@SoulOfRaife]

If the EU wants Switzerland to join the EU. All's they have to do is issue no trade and no fly zones around the border. What is Switzerland going to do. Cant legally fly over another country without permission. Cant cross the borders of another country without permission. So, Switzerland would literally be starved out due to no trade/transport/travel. After a few weeks, give them the opportunity to vote to join the EU. Or the ban continues until nothing is left. Then the land will belong to the EU anyways in the end.

[@Wisteria__Lane]

Wow that’s so democratic ! Stop sharing stupid ideas

[@spankie7728]

@@Wisteria__Lane some people dont get what Democratic means ... and thats sad

[@BNOBLE981]

Would not work, Switzerland can sell stuff online have the foreign buyers pick the stuff up in Switzerland and take it home themselves, or is the EU for example going to open fire on lets say civilian United states, Russian, Chinese etc.. aircraft and vehicles as they enter and leave Switzerland? If they do or attempt to detain interfere with those exports the EU risk getting into diplomatic incidents with those countries not bound to the EU membership. Even then are you mistaking Swiss neutrality for being defenceless? their foreign policy is armed neutrality, they have a decent size military and could view such actions by the EU as an act of aggression if not outright war.