UPSC Prelims 2009 Q33: Current Affairs – International Organisations & Groupings
Consider the following countries :
1. Switzerland
2. Malta
3. Bulgaria
Which of the above are members of European Union ?
- (a) 1 and 2 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 3 only
- (d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only
Explanation
Checking EU membership among three countries
The European Union has specific, defined member states, distinct from broader European geography.
| Country | Verdict | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Switzerland | Not an EU member | Switzerland has deliberately chosen not to join the EU, maintaining independent bilateral agreements instead |
| 2. Malta | EU member | Malta is indeed a member state of the European Union |
| 3. Bulgaria | EU member | Bulgaria is also a member state of the European Union |
EU membership facts:
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| EU members (among these) | Malta and Bulgaria |
| Not a member | Switzerland (deliberately outside the EU) |
Answer: (b) 2 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Country 1 (Switzerland) is not an EU member, so '1 and 2 only' wrongly includes it.
- (b) CORRECT. Malta and Bulgaria are both EU members; Switzerland is not.
- (c) Incorrect. Country 1 (Switzerland) is not an EU member, so '1 and 3 only' is wrong.
- (d) Incorrect. Country 1 (Switzerland) is not an EU member, so 'all three' cannot be correct.
Key point
Malta and Bulgaria are both European Union members — Switzerland has deliberately remained outside the EU, despite being a European country.
Remember
Among Switzerland, Malta, and Bulgaria: Malta and Bulgaria are EU members; Switzerland is not.
Common mistakes
- Assuming all European countries are automatically EU members, missing Switzerland's deliberate non-membership.
- Not knowing Malta and Bulgaria's specific EU membership status.
- Confusing EU membership with broader European geographic or economic groupings.
Exam tip
Switzerland is famously NOT an EU member, by its own choice. Malta and Bulgaria are both genuine EU members.
Sources
- European Union — Treaty concerning the accession of the Republic of Bulgaria and Romania to the European Union (signed 25 April 2005)
- European Union — Treaty of Accession 2003 (Athens): accession of Malta and nine other States