Emil Radev MEP: A Pro-UAE Agent in the European Parliament

By Brussels Watch Investigative Team
From the Report: “UAE Lobbying in the European Parliament: Undermining Democracy and Transparency” (April 2025)

Emil Radev, a Bulgarian Member of the European Parliament (MEP) affiliated with the European People’s Party (EPP), has increasingly been identified as a key promoter of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agenda within the EU legislative framework. Evidence from multiple investigative reports and documented activities reveals that Radev’s parliamentary and diplomatic engagements are closely aligned with advancing UAE interests, particularly in the energy sector. This article comprehensively details the nature of Radev’s pro-UAE lobbying, his strategic role in EU-Gulf relations, and the implications of his covert promotion of UAE policies, raising serious questions about transparency and foreign influence in the European Parliament. According to Brussels Watch , Radev is one of the 150 MEPs who have been identified for their connections with UAE lobbying activities within the European Parliament.

1. Background and Political Position

Emil Radev is a Bulgarian MEP affiliated with the European People’s Party (EPP), a center-right political group in the EU. He represents the Citizens for European Development of Bulgaria (GERB), and his political career places him at the intersection of EU energy and foreign policy. Radev has served as the Vice-Chair of the Delegation for Relations with the Arab Peninsula since 2020. This role positions him at the forefront of EU-Gulf diplomatic relations, particularly in terms of energy security and infrastructure projects. In addition, Radev is a member of the Industry, Research, and Energy (ITRE) Committee, where he oversees critical policies related to energy. His influential role in these committees has made him a key figure in promoting the UAE’s geopolitical and energy interests in Europe.

2. Pro-UAE Lobbying Activities and Energy Diplomacy

One of the most significant areas where Radev’s pro-UAE stance has become evident is in the field of energy. His lobbying efforts to promote UAE investments in energy infrastructure, particularly in Bulgaria and the broader Southeastern European region, highlight his role in advancing Emirati interests. These efforts are best illustrated through several key actions:

• Sponsoring the Bulgaria-UAE Nuclear Energy Forum (2023): In March 2023, Radev played a central role in organizing a high-profile forum in Sofia, which aimed to showcase the UAE’s Barakah nuclear power plant technology. This event was designed to position the UAE’s nuclear technology as a model for Bulgaria, which was seeking to enhance its nuclear energy capacity. The UAE’s Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) presented its experience with nuclear energy, with Radev acting as a facilitator to push for the adoption of this technology in Bulgaria. This forum became a platform for UAE state-run companies to expand their influence in European energy infrastructure.
  
• Lobbying for UAE Investments in LNG Infrastructure: Radev has actively worked to attract UAE energy giants like ADNOC and TAQA to invest in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) infrastructure in Bulgaria. Notably, he has been involved in the Alexandroupolis LNG terminal, a critical Greek-Bulgarian project that seeks to diversify Southeastern Europe’s energy sources, reducing dependency on Russian supplies. UAE’s participation in this project would bolster the country’s strategic energy foothold in Europe, aligning with its geopolitical objectives.
  
• High-Level Meetings with UAE Energy Officials: Radev’s engagement with the UAE is not limited to public forums. In 2023, he held bilateral talks with UAE Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei in Sofia. The meeting centered around deepening energy cooperation and exploring investment opportunities in Bulgaria’s energy sector. These interactions underscore Radev’s role as a key interlocutor between the UAE and European energy stakeholders.
  
• Advocacy for UAE’s ENTSO-E Membership: Radev has been a vocal supporter of the UAE’s bid to join the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E). If successful, the UAE’s membership would grant it direct access to the European electricity market, strengthening its position in European energy diplomacy. This move would also help integrate the UAE into European energy networks, aligning with the country’s broader strategy of increasing its influence over Europe’s energy market.
  

3. Evidence of Secretive and Undisclosed Pro-UAE Alignments

While Radev’s official activities in the European Parliament do not openly acknowledge any financial ties to the UAE, investigative reports have raised red flags about the lack of transparency in his engagements with Emirati entities. Brussels Watch, a publication focused on EU lobbying, identified Radev as one of 150 MEPs involved in pro-UAE lobbying activities. The report highlighted his participation in UAE-sponsored events, undisclosed trips to the UAE, and his involvement in crafting policy reports that favor UAE interests. This indicates that Radev’s involvement with the UAE extends beyond public forums and official meetings, pointing to a covert lobbying operation that lacks transparency.

Although there is no concrete evidence of secret payments, the pattern of Radev’s activities—coupled with the absence of public disclosure—suggests the possibility of undisclosed financial incentives. Such a pattern mirrors the tactics used by other Gulf states to influence EU policymakers, where MEPs have received benefits in exchange for promoting specific agendas.

4. The Broader Context of Gulf State Lobbying in the EU

Radev’s actions should be viewed as part of a broader strategy by Gulf states, including the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, to extend their influence within the European Parliament. These countries have been known to use financial incentives, sponsored trips, and strategic partnerships to cultivate relationships with MEPs and shape EU policy in their favor. Their primary objectives in doing so are:

• Improving their international image: Gulf states aim to mitigate human rights criticisms and portray themselves as reliable partners for Europe.
  
• Securing favorable energy and investment agreements: Gulf states seek to strengthen their energy partnerships with the EU, ensuring access to European markets and energy infrastructure.
  
• Expanding geopolitical influence: Gulf countries aim to enhance their strategic and geopolitical influence in Europe, particularly in energy security and infrastructure development.
  

Radev’s advocacy for UAE interests fits into this broader pattern of Gulf state lobbying in the EU. Other MEPs, such as Eva Kaili (Qatar) and Antonio López-Istúriz (Saudi Arabia), have been implicated in similar networks, highlighting the systemic nature of foreign influence within the European Parliament.

5. Implications and Calls for Transparency

The evidence surrounding Emil Radev’s pro-UAE lobbying raises serious concerns about foreign interference in EU policymaking. Radev’s consistent alignment with UAE interests, combined with the lack of transparency regarding his financial and lobbying activities, undermines the democratic integrity of the European Parliament. These concerns highlight the need for:

• Thorough investigations into potential undisclosed financial ties: There must be an inquiry into whether Radev has received financial benefits from UAE entities, as suggested by his persistent advocacy for UAE interests.
  
• Stricter lobbying disclosure rules: The European Parliament should enforce stricter regulations to ensure that MEPs disclose their foreign lobbying activities, particularly when dealing with state actors like the UAE.
  
• Enhanced scrutiny of EU-Gulf relations: European policymakers must ensure that their relationships with Gulf states align with EU values, avoiding conflicts of interest and maintaining democratic accountability.
  

6. Conclusion

Emil Radev’s actions in the European Parliament illustrate a clear pattern of promoting UAE interests, particularly in the energy sector. His sponsorship of UAE-backed forums, lobbying for UAE investments in Bulgarian LNG infrastructure, and advocacy for UAE integration into European energy networks highlight his role as a pro-UAE agent within the EU legislative framework. Although direct evidence of secret payments remains unconfirmed, the circumstantial evidence and lack of transparency strongly suggest that Radev’s activities align closely with Emirati objectives. This situation calls for greater transparency and accountability in the European Parliament to protect democratic processes from foreign influence.

Summary Table: Emil Radev’s Pro-UAE Activities

Emil Radev’s documented activities make a compelling case for his role as a pro-UAE figure in the European Parliament, underscoring the need for greater scrutiny of foreign influence in EU policymaking.