Which of the following countries are members of the European Union?

Question

Which of the following countries are members of the European Union?

1. Belarus

2. Poland

3. Germany

4. Switzerland

1. A. 1, 2 and 4
2. B. 1 and 4 only
3. C. 2 and 3 (Correct answer)
4. D. 2 and 4 only

Correct Answer

Option C — C

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Option C.

Key Points

• Poland and Germany (2 and 3).
• 2. Poland — EU member (joined in 2004). ✓
• 3. Germany — EU member (a founding member, 1957). ✓
• 1. Belarus — NOT an EU member; it is a former Soviet republic aligned with Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union. ✗
• 4. Switzerland — NOT an EU member; it is part of EFTA and the Schengen Area but has chosen to stay outside the EU. ✗
• So only Poland and Germany are EU members.
• the EU has 27 member states (after Brexit in 2020).
• Non-members often confused for members include Switzerland, Norway, Belarus and the UK — Switzerland and Norway are in EFTA, not the EU.

Exam Tip

• Switzerland is the classic trap — deeply integrated with Europe (Schengen), but not an EU member.