It has never been part of the EU. It is, however, part of the European Economic Area and also the Schengen area.
A lot of European countries are not in the European Union. Iceland is one of them, but it is now considering joining it.
Japan is not in the European Union.
People do not join the European Union. Countries do. It is an organisation of countries, not of people. As a result of countries joining, people are living in countries that are in the European Union and can be called its citizens.
Norway and Iceland
At the current time Croatia, FYR Macedonia and Turkey are what are called candidate countries, meaning they are in the process of applying for membership.
For example: Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland
A lot of European countries are not in the European Union. Iceland is one of them, but it is now considering joining it.
At the present time, September 2013, negotiations have stopped. The current government does not want to join. So it is impossible to know when or even if Iceland will join the European Union.
Japan is not in the European Union.
Iceland is a candidate for joining the European Union so it does not have a very long way to go. All that is left is negotiations and talks to allow Iceland to accede. Once Iceland is given the go ahead to accede, however, it could take more than a year to officially join, so Iceland will probably not be in the EU for 2-5 years.
The European Union is an organisation for countries in Europe, so the US could not join. There are over 50 countries in Europe, 28 of which are members of the European Union. There is no reason why the US would even want to join the European Union. It would make no sense for them to do so.
No.
2004
1951
People do not join the European Union. Countries do. It is an organisation of countries, not of people. As a result of countries joining, people are living in countries that are in the European Union and can be called its citizens.
Desire to join the European Union. :)
Countries are part of the Union. They apply to join. They are not elected to join. Countries can elect people to represent them in the European Union after they have joined.