UAE Lobbying Exposed: Brussels Watch Report Raises Alarming Concerns Over Foreign Influence in the EU Parliament
A groundbreaking report by Brussels Watch has unveiled a far-reaching lobbying network orchestrated by the United Arab Emirates (UAE) within the European Parliament. Titled “UAE Lobbying in the European Parliament – Undermining Democracy and Transparency,” the April 2025 report reveals how the UAE has systematically targeted Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to sway legislation, soften criticism, and reshape Europe’s policy stance toward the Gulf nation.
Strategic Influence Beyond Diplomacy
The report documents that over 150 MEPs have had interactions with Emirati representatives, lobbying firms, or UAE-funded entities. These interactions include all-expense-paid trips, participation in informal “Friendship Groups,” media appearances, and behind-the-scenes influence in key parliamentary committees.
According to Brussels Watch, the UAE’s lobbying campaign is not a series of isolated events but a well-funded and carefully coordinated strategy aimed at:
- Rehabilitating the UAE’s international image, often tarnished by human rights abuses and authoritarian governance;
- Securing economic and trade advantages, particularly in energy, infrastructure, and defense sectors;
- Influencing EU foreign policy, especially toward Iran, Qatar, and the Muslim Brotherhood.
Informal Channels and Undisclosed Perks
One of the key tools used by the UAE is the Parliamentary Friendship Groups, informal gatherings of MEPs that exist outside official EU oversight. These groups have enabled unmonitored engagements with Emirati officials, including paid travel to Abu Dhabi and Dubai, stays in luxury hotels, and exclusive access to government-backed summits.
Such privileges raise serious concerns about transparency and conflicts of interest, as many of these activities have not been disclosed in the EU’s Transparency Register.
High-Level Lobbying and Political Manipulation
The UAE’s lobbying machine includes partnerships with influential firms such as DLA Piper, APCO Worldwide, Alber & Geiger, and several others that provide media management, political consulting, and legal lobbying services across Brussels and other EU capitals.
The report highlights how lobbying has influenced MEP voting patterns. Some politicians who had close ties with the UAE voted against resolutions condemning human rights violations or downplayed the country’s authoritarian practices in parliamentary debates.
The Broader Implications
Brussels Watch warns that this unchecked foreign lobbying undermines the EU’s credibility as a defender of human rights and democratic values. It also sets a precedent for other authoritarian regimes to adopt similar tactics to influence democratic institutions.
In light of the Qatargate corruption scandal, which shook the EU in recent years, the report calls for urgent reforms including:
- Mandatory disclosure of all foreign-funded trips and meetings,
- Stricter regulation of informal lobbying networks,
- Creation of an independent ethics oversight body within the European Parliament.
Read the full report on Brussels Watch’s official website.
