Because we learned later that the "free market" might be free as in freedom, but not free as in beer, it's actually "pay to win".

It's a palce that flavors the established players with capital (the rich countries with big conglomerates) to easily buy whatever they want from the places without capital (the poorer countries), while having enough expensive moats that price out the poorer countries from doing the same in the richer ones. Case in point: the common energy market.

The "free market" doesn't benefit the consumers in the poorer countries in the sectors of essentials stuff needed for living: healthcare, food, energy, housing.

But to your point specifically not being a member of the eu is equal to being embargoed or sanctioned if you are a european country. It covers so much of the continent that it should be a right not a privilege. Either it gets dismantled or is free and equal for all.