Which country is not in the European Union?

Only a few western European countries are not members of the EU, and Switzerland is one of them. It was decided to remain separate to keep with a well-known Swiss tradition of neutrality and complete sovereignty (neutralism in general is even often called the "Swiss solution"). Switzerland actively maintain a bilateral relationship with the members of the EU, moreover, the union is the largest trade partner of the country.

More Info: www.americanswiss.org

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40 Comments

Joe Mangan

James Powell, Yes, Switzerland is too smart for all of us. In WWII they were smart enough to hoard priceless artwork stolen by Nazis and gold taken from the teeth of Jews. And they manufactured and supplied small arms to the Nazis. Guess where today's thieving tyrants lodge their ill-gotten gains.

Ben Totuous

If only every country could stay out of controversy like Switzerland.

Robert Mookerdum

The neutrality is influenced by the Swiss Big Business,especially the Swiss Banks who promote a picture of security,when in reality they cash on the misfortunes of others when they seek to deposit their hardearned wealth in the hands of the Swiss Banks,only to find out later that most of them had been robbed.

Wayne Linburg

You have to wonder why the country has always behaved differently and are always squeaky clean. It is the illusion when in reality all governments, mobsters, drug lords, dictators have kept Swiss bank accounts with stolen money in the vaults. There is even a World Dollar stored in there somewhere. Also I think it has to be said that if you are always neutral, yes you are not opposing anyone But you are not helping anyone either !

Player

Val Wilkinson, and make things worse, not better

erik hughes

Should be "Which OF THESE countries is not in the European Union?", as there are MANY countries NOT in the "European Union".

Susan Lake-Harris

Not "It was decided", but "it decided". Not "with a well-known" but "with its well-known". Not "actively maintain a" but "actively maintains a". Did someone not review this question properly?

illonabird

Looks like the definition of smart is subjective.

Annie

I wish .....

Val Wilkinson

Now the US interfere and promote anywhere they fancy Corey Taylor,

Val Wilkinson

Hideous isn’t it, deborahpmercer,

deborahpmercer

More's the pity, thanks to the populists and tabloids the UK soon will be too - oh, how I hate it! And when folk here say Switzerland's doing fine - it's not the same kind of country at all and has close ties anyway, and is in the Schengen area that the UK never joined - tabloid and populists to blame again!

Corey Taylor

America used to be like Switzerland. Observe but don't interfere was the rule, which worked until Germany had designs on attacking the U.S. during World War I. For you Star Trek fans out there, our old rule was the basis for Starfleet's "Prime Directive".