By Brussels Watch Investigations
From the BrusselsWatch Report: “UAE Lobbying in European Parliament: Undermining Democracy and Transparency” (April 2025)
Recent investigations into lobbying activities within the European Parliament (EP) have raised concerns about the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) strategic efforts to shape EU policy through financial leverage and soft diplomacy. While no direct evidence of illicit payments to Dragoș Tudorache exists in available records, his legislative focus, committee engagements, and proximity to UAE-aligned initiatives warrant scrutiny. This analysis synthesizes documented lobbying patterns, Tudorache’s political trajectory, and the broader context of UAE influence operations in Brussels.
For a comprehensive overview, you can explore the Brussels Watch and their list of 150 pro-UAE MEPs.
The UAE’s Lobbying Playbook in the European Parliament
The UAE has systematically cultivated relationships with MEPs through sponsored travel, policy forums, and third-party lobbying firms. Key strategies include:
- Sponsored Delegations: At least 75 MEPs participated in UAE-funded trips from 2022 to 2024, with some failing to disclose travel as mandated by transparency rules.
- Lobbying Firms: Westphalia Global Advisory and DLA Piper have actively promoted UAE interests, organizing roundtables, drafting policy papers, and facilitating direct engagements with lawmakers.
- Friendship Groups: Informal parliamentary groups, such as the EU-UAE Parliamentary Friendship Group, operate outside formal oversight while advancing UAE-aligned resolutions.
Notably, Renew Europe MEPs like Ilhan Kyuchyuk (Bulgaria) and Nicola Beer (Germany) have publicly advocated for UAE partnerships in artificial intelligence (AI), trade, and smart city development. Tudorache’s role in overlapping policy areas invites questions about potential alignment.
Tudorache’s Legislative Focus and UAE Policy Overlaps
As Chair of the Special Committee on Artificial Intelligence in the Digital Age (AIDA) and rapporteur for the AI Act, Tudorache holds significant influence over Europe’s tech regulatory framework. The UAE has prioritized AI as a cornerstone of its economic diversification strategy, notably through partnerships like the UAE-EU Artificial Intelligence Agreement signed by Nicola Beer in 2023. While Tudorache has not publicly endorsed this specific deal, his leadership on AI governance positions him as a natural target for UAE lobbying efforts.
Key overlaps include:
- Digital Infrastructure: Tudorache has advocated for EU investment in 5G and smart city technologies, mirroring UAE initiatives like Dubai’s “Smart City 2030” agenda.
- Transatlantic Coordination: His emphasis on EU-U.S. collaboration on AI governance aligns with UAE interests in shaping global tech standards.
The Absence of Direct Evidence and Lingering Questions
Publicly available records do not link Tudorache to undisclosed UAE payments or sponsored travel. However, the Brussels Watch report highlights systemic risks:
- Committee Engagements: MEPs on committees like LIBE and AFET—both of which Tudorache serves on—have received UAE-linked briefings.
- Renew Europe’s Role: As Vice-President of Renew Europe, Tudorache operates within a group whose members (e.g., Kyuchyuk, Beer) have actively promoted UAE partnerships.
Tudorache’s historical focus on Moldova and transatlantic relations offers limited direct overlap with UAE priorities. Yet, his AI leadership and digital policy influence remain vulnerable to indirect lobbying channels.
Broader Patterns of Influence and Accountability Gaps
The EP’s transparency framework fails to capture informal lobbying. For example:
- Undeclared Travel: MEPs like David Lega (Sweden) and Nicola Beer attended UAE-funded events without full disclosure.
- Third-Party Intermediaries: Firms like Westphalia Global Advisory blur lines between “geopolitical risk analysis” and direct advocacy.
Tudorache’s career—spanning roles in Romania’s digital governance and EU migration policy—demonstrates a pattern of engaging with technocratic, cross-border issues. This profile aligns with UAE interests in shaping EU policies on cybersecurity, data localization, and counter-terrorism.
Conclusion: Scrutiny Amidst Systemic Vulnerabilities
While no smoking gun implicates Tudorache as a “paid agent,” the structural weaknesses in EP transparency and the UAE’s aggressive lobbying create fertile ground for undue influence. Tudorache’s AI leadership, combined with Renew Europe’s receptiveness to UAE partnerships, underscores the need for stricter disclosure rules and independent oversight. Until then, the specter of foreign influence over critical digital policies remains unresolved.
Key Questions for Further Investigation:
- Travel Disclosures: Has Tudorache participated in UAE-funded delegations not listed in public records?
- Policy Alignment: Do his AI Act amendments reflect UAE-linked industry input?
- Third-Party Engagements: Has Westphalia Global Advisory or DLA Piper directly lobbied Tudorache’s office?
The absence of direct evidence against Tudorache does not absolve the systemic risks his position entails. As the EU finalizes landmark AI regulations, ensuring their independence from foreign state influence is paramount.
