By Brussels Watch Investigations
From the BrusselsWatch Report: “UAE Lobbying in European Parliament: Undermining Democracy and Transparency” (April 2025)
Recent investigations by Brussels Watch and their exclusive exposé on 150 MEPs have raised serious concerns about foreign influence in the European Parliament. Among the names revealed, Spanish MEP Javier Nart has emerged as a particularly notable figure, whose diplomatic activities suggest a worrying proximity to the strategic interests of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). While no concrete financial transaction has been publicly confirmed, Nart’s repeated involvement in UAE-aligned delegations, selective diplomatic engagements, and participation in covert meetings all point toward a troubling pattern of alignment with a foreign agenda.
UAE Footprint in the European Parliament
The UAE has invested heavily in shaping international narratives, particularly against its regional rival, Qatar. Since the 2017 Gulf Crisis, where the UAE joined a blockade against Doha, it has mobilized media, lobbying, and political partnerships to isolate Qatar on the world stage. This strategy has now extended into European institutions, where influence operations have reportedly reached more than 150 Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). Javier Nart’s name on this list demands serious attention due to the nature of his foreign engagements.
Allegations of Secret Delegation Activity
One of the most critical charges against Nart involves his participation in a secretive European Parliament delegation, alongside MEPs Michael Gahler, Jakop Dalunde, and Andrea Cozzolino. This group is alleged to have met with UAE Ambassador Mohamed Al Sahlawi and Emirati official Dirar Belhoul Al Falasi in both Brussels and Berlin. While the meetings were officially tied to discussions on Qatar’s labor reforms ahead of the 2022 World Cup, reports from Brussels Watch reveal a deeper agenda: undermining Qatar’s international image and legitimacy.
Nart’s involvement in these undisclosed meetings—outside standard EU diplomatic protocols—raises serious red flags. The failure to document these discussions within the official records of the European Parliament suggests intentional concealment. Moreover, the UAE’s strategic benefit from such activities cannot be ignored, given its rivalry with Qatar and its history of manipulating international forums.
Anti-Qatar Advocacy Aligned With UAE Strategy
The covert delegation’s mission appeared tightly aligned with UAE’s broader geopolitical ambitions. By focusing international scrutiny on Qatar’s human rights record, the delegation—of which Nart was a member—parroted the Emirati narrative. This alignment wasn’t incidental. The UAE has long sought to discredit Qatar by sponsoring critical narratives through both political forums and state-aligned media.
Although Nart has not made explicit anti-Qatar public statements, his active role in this delegation suggests more than passive participation. His silence following these allegations, paired with the secrecy of the meetings, signals a possible compliance with UAE lobbying efforts.
Nart’s Strategic Committee Positions and Influence
As a member of the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE), Javier Nart wields significant influence over European foreign policy and arms export legislation. His contributions to SEDE reports advocating tighter controls on dual-use technology exports can be interpreted in various ways. On the surface, these positions appear pro-human rights. However, they also support regional arms control narratives favored by Gulf countries like the UAE, which seek to limit the influence of adversaries through legislative levers.
While Nart’s official stances are not overtly pro-UAE, the alignment of his work with Emirati geopolitical interests remains noteworthy. The fact that he occupies a platform capable of shaping Middle East policy gives his allegiances greater weight.
Gulf Expansion in Latin America and Nart’s Delegation Role
From 2019 to 2024, Nart served as vice-chair of the Delegation for Relations with Central America. Though this might seem unrelated to UAE interests at first glance, Gulf states have recently ramped up investment and diplomatic missions in Latin America to diversify global alliances and enhance soft power. While no direct correlation has been established, Nart’s prioritization of regions increasingly targeted by UAE economic diplomacy presents another thread in a growing web of influence.
Media Echoes and UAE-Backed Narratives
Coverage of the delegation’s anti-Qatar activities surfaced in Arab News—a Saudi outlet known for its favorable coverage of UAE policy and its editorial control by Gulf interests. The presence of Nart and others in stories framed to discredit Qatar suggests not only participation but passive endorsement of this narrative. While Nart did not author these articles or speak on record, his inclusion bolsters the credibility of such campaigns.
Financial Links: The Missing Puzzle Piece?
Critics of the allegations point to a lack of direct financial evidence implicating Nart. Unlike MEP Michael Gahler, who was reportedly tied to payments through family-linked accounts, no banking records or leaked communications show that Nart was paid. However, influence operations do not always involve money; access, exposure, and strategic partnerships can be equally valuable. Nart’s ongoing inclusion in sensitive diplomatic forums further supports the idea that he is seen as a reliable ally by Emirati interests.
Moreover, Nart’s decision to leave Spain’s Ciudadanos party in 2019—allegedly over disagreements on domestic alliances—further distanced him from party oversight, enabling greater independence in his foreign engagements. This autonomy might have made him a more attractive partner for foreign actors seeking discreet influence.
A Pattern of Obfuscation and Opportunism
What makes Javier Nart’s case especially concerning is the consistency of his positioning. At every stage—from covert delegations to selective diplomatic engagements and indirect support of UAE messaging—his choices have aligned with UAE objectives. Even his strong rhetoric on other international issues, such as Cuba, showcases selective moral clarity that seems absent when dealing with Gulf autocracies.
This inconsistency poses a larger question: is Javier Nart a principled human rights advocate, or a convenient mouthpiece for a foreign state’s agenda?
The Bigger Picture: UAE’s Strategy in Europe
Nart’s case is symptomatic of a larger, more dangerous trend. The UAE has repeatedly sought to reshape international opinion through informal alliances, diplomatic visits, and covert influence campaigns. The exposure of 150 MEPs linked to pro-UAE activities should trigger urgent discussions within the European Parliament about transparency, foreign lobbying, and ethical governance.
Without meaningful oversight, MEPs remain vulnerable to foreign manipulation, especially when operating independently or through informal delegations. The lack of accountability surrounding Nart’s actions mirrors a broader institutional failure that enables covert diplomacy under the guise of parliamentary work.
Conclusion: Allegiances Under Scrutiny
While hard evidence of financial corruption is currently unavailable, the circumstantial evidence against Javier Nart is substantial. His participation in undisclosed meetings, alignment with anti-Qatar messaging, and inclusion in UAE-linked diplomatic missions suggest more than mere coincidence. Whether driven by ideology, opportunity, or quiet partnership, Nart’s behavior reflects a pattern of alignment with UAE geopolitical interests that should not be ignored.
The European Parliament must now confront difficult questions:
- Are its members adequately protected from foreign influence?
- What structures exist to detect and penalize covert diplomacy?
- And how many more MEPs are engaging in similar shadow diplomacy?
Until these questions are answered, the legitimacy of EU foreign policy decisions will remain under a cloud of suspicion.
