David Lega is a former Member of the European Parliament (MEP) from Sweden. Based on his activities, he had been actively engaged in pro-UAE initiatives. His political affiliations and activities show that he supports the Abraham Accords, which are meant to normalize relations between Israel and Arab countries, including the UAE.
He also avoided making any criticism of the UAE in areas such as human rights, labor conditions, or foreign affairs. Lega also never mentioned the UAE’s role in the Yemen conflict, the Libya intervention. He also didn’t vote to condemn the UAE’s human rights record, as some other MEPs did.
In 2022, a group of Members of the European Parliament toured the UAE. The visit aimed to witness the progress the country has made in recent years in women’s, children’s, and persons with disabilities’ rights. Among the visitors was David Lega, Co-Chair of the Child Rights Intergroup. He said, “Each and every one of our meetings was worth the trip to the UAE.” However, amid these warm words, still much needs to be achieved in these fields.
Surprisingly, Lega was also involved in UAE-sponsored forums in Brussels. He took part in discussions about sustainable development and innovation. According to some, he also supported the UAE hosting COP28 and praised its environmental policies despite allegations of overdependence on fossil fuel.
David Lega, as an MEP, was co-leading the Abraham Accords Network in the European Parliament (AANEP). The organization promotes EU backing of the Abraham Accords. These accords consist of normalization between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. Lega’s leadership represents his devotion to regional peace and collaboration in the Middle East.
The 75th Independence Day of 🇮🇱 celebration in Brussels brought a momentous announcement!@EP_President revealed that the European Parliament will establish the Abraham Accords Network. We extend our congratulations to MEP @DavidLega, the chair of this commendable initiative. pic.twitter.com/RWP6J9O6yo
— European Jewish Congress (@eurojewcong) June 1, 2023
Lega’s promotion of the Abraham Accords indirectly promotes UAE interests by supporting its involvement in regional diplomacy. His wider Middle Eastern policy stances also highlight cooperation with signatories of these accords, such as the UAE.
David Lega has exhibited a high level of interest in the UAE through numerous activities and events throughout his career. David Lega presided over the EU-UAE Parliamentary Committee (2023), which presumably aimed at creating stronger economic and diplomatic relations between the European Union and the UAE. This position shows his participation in promoting bilateral relations between the two.
Lega also made efforts to strengthen business activities between Sweden and the UAE. However, it was part of his efforts to promote trade and investment relations to serve the UAE’s interests. Swedish companies such as Volvo, IKEA, Ericsson, and AstraZeneca have had a presence in the UAE, supporting innovation and sustainability.
Lega also went to DP World’s Jebel Ali Port. It is one of the UAE government-owned world’s largest ports. He discussed trade, logistics, and EU-UAE supply chain cooperation. DP World has come under fire for labor rights in the UAE, but Lega’s visit focused on economic potential rather than human rights.
Lega pushed for the liberalization of visas between the EU and the UAE, looking to facilitate travel and deepen economic ties. This fits into wider attempts to open up mobility and deepen contact between the Gulf and Europe. The UAE has been pushing for visa-free access to the EU for many years, but security, human rights, and reciprocity concerns have held it back.
