As a Spaniard (country which joined the European Community rather late), I can definitely confirm that it was pretty much explicit that joining NATO was a prerequisite to be accepted in the EU. The EU was born out of the Marshall Plan and of NATO.
There are countries that joined the EU both before and after Spain that are not NATO members. Membership of one is not a prerequisite for another. If any politicians told you otherwise, ask them why.
As a Spaniard (country which joined the European Community rather late), I can definitely confirm that it was pretty much explicit that joining NATO was a prerequisite to be accepted in the EU. The EU was born out of the Marshall Plan and of NATO.
There are countries that joined the EU both before and after Spain that are not NATO members. Membership of one is not a prerequisite for another. If any politicians told you otherwise, ask them why.