Columnist Chantal Tauxe (Switzerland - L'Hebdo) writes "with the bilateral agreements, Switzerland has got itself a non declared status as a passive EU member. We stick to the EU's rights when it suits us, which is nearly always since the economy is our only compass. We register what the EU decides in our laws, as if it were the fruit of our own genius, feigning to be unaware of its origins. Granted, the dues we pay are less high than if we were members. But we don't decide on anything. We don't propose anything. We are happy to position ourselves like gnomes in the political garden. All this while claiming to have much to teach the EU and the world about democracy, the respect of minorities and human rights..."

Turkey is part of the EU customs union with no decision rights and is adopting many parts of the EU law, although it is still not clear if Turkey ever becomes an EU member. Could Turkey be considered as a passive EU member?