The European Union has only 27 member states, and even though some European countries have long rich histories with their EU cousins, they've decided to remain outside of the

歐盟只有 27 個成員國，儘管一些歐洲國家與它們的歐盟兄弟國家有著悠久而豐富的歷史，但它們還是決定繼續留在歐盟之外。

Union.

聯盟。

This is the case of Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland.

瑞士、挪威和冰島就是這種情況。

But why are these three countries so closely linked to a shared European identity, not part of the EU?

但為什麼這三個國家與共同的歐洲身份如此緊密地聯繫在一起，而不是歐盟的一部分呢？

As always, let's take a look at where these three countries are located on a map.

和往常一樣，讓我們在地圖上看看這三個國家的位置。

First up is Norway.

首先是挪威。

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.

這個北歐國家位於斯堪的納維亞半島的頂端，直通北海、北極圈和波羅的海入海口。

Norway borders with two EU members, Finland and Sweden.

挪威與芬蘭和瑞典這兩個歐盟成員國接壤。

Second is Iceland.

其次是冰島。

Iceland is by far the most isolated of the European nations, with many mapmakers sadly forgetting to include it in their sketches of the continent.

冰島是迄今為止最偏僻的歐洲國家，許多地圖繪製者在繪製歐洲大陸的草圖時都很遺憾地忘記將其包括在內。

The closest EU neighbor is Ireland, over 1400 kilometers away.

距離歐盟最近的鄰國是愛爾蘭，相距 1400 多公里。

Last but not least is Switzerland.

最後但並非最不重要的是瑞士。

This is the country that many forget isn't part of the EU, as it sits right at the heart of the continent, and is surrounded by central EU states.

這個國家位於歐洲大陸的中心，被歐盟中心國家所包圍，是以很多人都忘記了它並不是歐盟的一部分。

France, Germany, Italy, and Austria all share a border with this alpine haven.

法國、德國、意大利和奧地利都與這個高山天堂接壤。

Let's take a look at each one's relationship with the Union, and why they've decided not to join.

讓我們來看看每個國家與歐盟的關係，以及它們決定不加入歐盟的原因。

Norway has made attempts to join the EU on two notable occasions.

挪威曾兩次嘗試加入歐盟。

Initially, the country applied to what was then called the European Economic Community, in 1962.

最初，該國於 1962 年申請加入當時被稱為歐洲經濟共同體的組織。

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.

然而，戴高樂總統上司下的法國在1963年和1967年否決了英國加入歐共體的申請，挪威的申請也是以受到間接影響。

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.

由於挪威的申請以及丹麥和愛爾蘭的申請都取決於英國的成員資格，挪威決定兩次暫停其申請。

Eventually, negotiations successfully concluded in 1972, leading to a referendum where the

最終，談判於 1972 年圓滿結束，並舉行了全民公決。

Norwegian people voted against joining.

挪威人民投票反對加入。

A subsequent referendum in 1994 also saw Norwegians voting against EU membership, albeit by a closer margin.

在隨後於1994年舉行的全民公決中，挪威人也投票反對加入歐盟，儘管票數差距更大。

Since then, Norway has not actively pursued full membership.

此後，挪威沒有積極爭取成為正式成員。

Several factors contribute to Norway's hesitation to join the EU.

挪威對加入歐盟猶豫不決是由幾個因素造成的。

The big problem is fish.

最大的問題是魚。

Norway places significant emphasis on maintaining control over its fisheries sector, which is a vital part of its economy.

挪威非常重視保持對漁業部門的控制，這是其經濟的重要組成部分。

If Norway were to join the EU, it would have to follow the EU's Common Fisheries Policy.

如果挪威加入歐盟，就必須遵循歐盟的共同漁業政策。

This policy would allow other EU countries to fish in Norwegian waters, albeit with strict rules.

這項政策將允許其他歐盟國家在挪威水域捕魚，儘管有嚴格的規定。

Additionally, Norway would be subject to the EU's Total Allowable Catches system, designed for sustainable management of fish stocks, which might differ from Norway's preferred management practices.

此外，挪威將受制於歐盟的 "總可捕量 "制度，該制度旨在對魚類種群進行可持續管理，可能與挪威偏好的管理做法不同。

There are also economic concerns beyond fisheries.

除了漁業之外，還有其他經濟問題。

Norway's vast natural resources, especially oil and gas, play a pivotal role in its economy.

挪威豐富的自然資源，尤其是石油和天然氣，在其經濟中發揮著舉足輕重的作用。

Some Norwegians are concerned that EU membership might impact the country's autonomy over these resources.

一些挪威人擔心，加入歐盟可能會影響該國對這些資源的自主權。

Then there's national sovereignty.

然後是國家主權。

Many Norwegians are cautious about ceding aspects of their sovereignty to Brussels and the broader administrative structure.

許多挪威人對向布魯塞爾和更廣泛的行政結構讓渡部分主權持謹慎態度。

So what about Iceland?

那麼冰島呢？

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.

2009 年，冰島在金融危機後申請加入歐盟，許多人認為加入歐盟可能會帶來更大的經濟穩定性。

However, with a change in government in 2013, the country's direction toward EU accession shifted, and the application process stalled.

然而，隨著 2013 年政府的更迭，該國加入歐盟的方向發生了轉變，申請進程停滯不前。

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.

與挪威類似，冰島猶豫不決的主要原因是希望保護其重要的捕魚業免受歐盟共同漁業政策可能帶來的干擾。

Beyond fisheries, concerns about maintaining national sovereignty, potential impacts on the small but protected agriculture sector, and the advantages of having control over their own currency have also influenced the debate.

除漁業外，對維護國家主權的關切、對規模小但受保護的農業部門的潛在影響以及控制本國貨幣的優勢也影響了辯論。

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

雖然冰島人從未專門就加入歐盟問題進行過全民公決，但隨著時間的推移，公眾情緒受到國內和國際事件的影響而發生了變化，其中包括

Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

俄羅斯入侵烏克蘭。

Finally, we come to Switzerland.

最後，我們來到瑞士。

The Swiss people have traditionally shown limited interest in joining the EU.

瑞士人民歷來對加入歐盟興趣不大。

In the early 1990s, the government did pursue an application to join the European Economic

20 世紀 90 年代初，政府確實提出了加入歐洲經濟委員會的申請。

Area, a stepping stone to EU membership.

該地區是加入歐盟的墊腳石。

But after a rejection by the Swiss electorate in a 1992 referendum, this effort was suspended.

但在 1992 年的全民公決中被瑞士選民否決後，這一努力被迫中止。

In fact, in 2018, a survey found that only 3% even considered joining the EU a possibility.

事實上，2018 年的一項調查發現，甚至只有 3% 的人認為有可能加入歐盟。

This reluctance stems not just from their commitment to neutrality, but also from their unique political and economic circumstances.

這種不情願不僅源於他們對中立的承諾，還源於他們獨特的政治和經濟環境。

Switzerland's system of direct democracy, where key decisions are often put to public referendums, makes ceding any decision-making power to Brussels problematic.

瑞士實行直接民主制度，關鍵決策往往要經過全民公決，是以將任何決策權交給布魯塞爾都是有問題的。

Over the years, Switzerland has negotiated a series of bilateral agreements with the

多年來，瑞士通過談判與以下國家達成了一系列雙邊協議

EU, granting them many of the benefits of the single market, without perceived drawbacks of full membership.

歐盟給予他們單一市場的許多好處，而沒有正式成員的明顯缺點。

These agreements, for many in Switzerland, represent the best of both worlds.

對瑞士的許多人來說，這些協議代表了兩個世界的精華。

They allow for economic collaboration while preserving Swiss autonomy.

它們允許在保持瑞士自治的同時開展經濟合作。

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 the sector play a big role.

例如，瑞士人珍視自己的金融自主權，特別是考慮到瑞士作為全球銀行業和金融中心的地位，是以對歐盟法規可能影響該行業的擔憂起了很大作用。

And no, unlike some of their Nordic neighbours, the Swiss reservations aren't about protecting the fishing industry.

不，與北歐的一些鄰國不同，瑞士的保留意見並不是為了保護漁業。

After all, fish are pretty safe in the Alps.

畢竟，在阿爾卑斯山，魚類還是很安全的。

But what about now?

但現在呢？

What agreements do these countries have with the EU in the modern day?

在現代，這些國家與歐盟簽訂了哪些協議？

None of these three countries are technically part of the EU, but they're closely tied in various ways.

從技術上講，這三個國家都不是歐盟的一部分，但它們在不同方面有著密切的聯繫。

All three countries are part of the Schengen Area, facilitating passport-free travel across borders.

這三個國家都是申根區的一部分，為跨境免護照旅行提供了便利。

However, this doesn't automatically grant the rights of work.

然而，這並不自動賦予工作權。

Additional permissions might be required.

可能需要其他權限。

Both Iceland and Norway are members of the European Economic Area, which allows them to participate in the single market.

冰島和挪威都是歐洲經濟區的成員，可以加入單一市場。

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.

這意味著它們必須向歐盟預算繳款，通過某些歐盟法律，但在歐洲議會中沒有直接的代表權，並且不受某些歐盟政策的約束，特別是在漁業等領域。

Switzerland, on the other hand, accesses parts of the single market through a series of bilateral agreements with the EU.

另一方面，瑞士通過與歐盟簽訂一系列雙邊協議進入部分單一市場。

All three, along with Liechtenstein, are members of the European Free Trade Association, also called EFTA.

這三個國家和列支敦士登都是歐洲自由貿易聯盟（又稱 EFTA）的成員。

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.

歐洲自由貿易聯盟成立於 1960 年，是當時的歐洲經濟共同體（後來演變為歐盟）的替代組織，旨在促進自由貿易和經濟一體化。

The original members included Denmark, Norway, Switzerland, Sweden, Austria, the UK, and later Portugal joined the fold.

最初的成員包括丹麥、挪威、瑞士、瑞典、奧地利、英國，後來葡萄牙也加入了進來。

Today only four members remain, Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland.

如今只剩下瑞士、挪威、列支敦士登和冰島四個成員。

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.

歐洲自由貿易聯盟促進其成員之間以及與其他國家之間的自由貿易，其成員與歐盟密切合作，確保整個歐洲的貿易和協作順暢。

So the big question is, which one of these three countries is most likely to join the

是以，最大的問題是，這三個國家中哪一個最有可能加入

European Union?

歐洲聯盟？

We don't believe any of these three countries will join the EU anytime soon, but we know for sure that Switzerland isn't keen on the idea at all.

我們不相信這三個國家中的任何一個會很快加入歐盟，但我們可以肯定的是，瑞士根本不希望加入歐盟。

The public opinion on joining is incredibly low, and the country's dedication to neutrality is simply too fierce.

關於加入的輿論低得令人難以置信，而這個國家對中立的執著實在是太猛烈了。

It would take a string of massive geopolitical events to sway the Swiss people over to a pro-EU side.

要想讓瑞士人民轉而支持歐盟，就必鬚髮生一連串大規模的地緣政治事件。

Overall, Iceland is probably the most likely to join of the three, as it's already part of the EEA, it has close ties to the EU, and a decisive referendum on joining has never been held.

總的來說，冰島可能是這三個國家中最有可能加入的國家，因為它已經是歐洲經濟區的一部分，與歐盟關係密切，而且從未就加入歐盟舉行過決定性的全民公決。

The 2009 recession also showed the Icelandic people the value the EU Economic Union offered, and Russia's invasion of Ukraine has many looking to their European neighbors for solidarity.

2009 年的經濟衰退也讓冰島人民看到了歐盟經濟聯盟所帶來的價值，而俄羅斯對烏克蘭的入侵也讓許多人向歐洲鄰國尋求聲援。

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.

不過，我們認為這些國家目前都沒有加入歐盟的充分理由，它們都與歐盟關係密切，參加了歐盟的許多協議，並以自己的方式為歐洲項目做出了貢獻。

The European Union has bigger fish to fry, and these three are already strong allies as it stands.

歐盟有更大的魚要釣，而這三個國家目前已經是強大的盟友。

But what do you think, should these countries join the EU, or should they rather stay outside of the EU?

您認為這些國家應該加入歐盟，還是應該留在歐盟之外？

Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

請在評論中告訴我們您的想法。

And if you enjoy these short and informative videos about the European Union, then please subscribe and like the video, and if you want to support us further, please consider signing up to Patreon.

如果您喜歡這些有關歐盟的簡短而翔實的視頻，請訂閱並喜歡該視頻，如果您想進一步支持我們，請考慮註冊 Patreon。

Until next time.

下次再見