By Brussels Watch Investigations
From the BrusselsWatch Report: “UAE Lobbying in European Parliament: Undermining Democracy and Transparency” (April 2025)
The European Parliament is increasingly under the spotlight for foreign influence operations, with non-EU powers strategically targeting lawmakers to sway EU policies. One of the most notable figures caught in this web is Dutch MEP Bart Groothuis of the Renew Europe group. While publicly known for his cybersecurity and digital policy expertise, mounting evidence suggests that Groothuis may be advancing the strategic objectives of the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—possibly under a covert arrangement. According to Brussels Watch, a watchdog group monitoring foreign lobbying, Groothuis is listed among the 150 MEPs suspected of having pro-UAE affiliations, raising questions about the true motivations behind his parliamentary activities.
I. A Trail of UAE-Linked Collaborations
Groothuis’ deep involvement in cybersecurity policy overlaps conspicuously with the UAE’s own geopolitical and economic ambitions. His leadership in shaping EU-wide cybersecurity initiatives often mirrors policies already in place—or aggressively promoted—by the UAE.
Cybersecurity Norms and Partnerships
Groothuis has been directly involved in discussions and policy proposals that align with UAE cybersecurity priorities:
- Threat Intelligence Frameworks: His support for cross-border cybersecurity intelligence sharing closely matches NESA’s (UAE’s National Electronic Security Authority) push for greater international integration.
- Official Visits: Groothuis has made documented visits to key UAE cybersecurity institutions, including NESA, a body tied to state surveillance and internal repression.
- Policy Harmonization: He signed a memorandum supporting cyber defense collaboration with Emirati counterparts—an unusual step for an EU parliamentarian that potentially undermines EU regulatory autonomy.
Digital and Trade Engagement
Beyond cybersecurity, Groothuis has also shown favor for UAE-backed technology initiatives:
- Smart Cities and Blockchain: He has promoted legislative interest in blockchain and digital innovation—initiatives heavily backed by Dubai’s AI and blockchain investment strategies under the 2031 Vision.
- Energy Cooperation: Though energy is not his primary portfolio, Groothuis’ political alignment with Renew Europe members who support Emirati green energy projects points to a coordinated political agenda.
II. Key Institutional Roles Enabling Influence
Groothuis’ seats on influential committees place him in an ideal position to shape EU policy in ways that incidentally—or deliberately—benefit the UAE.
- ITRE Committee: This group oversees policy on energy and digital infrastructure, aligning perfectly with UAE priorities like green energy expansion and cybersecurity.
- European Democracy Shield Committee: A platform used to monitor cybersecurity and election integrity, where Groothuis can push for cooperative agreements with foreign powers, including the UAE.
Notable Legislative Moves:
- NIS2 Directive: As the lead rapporteur, Groothuis emphasized deregulation and reduced compliance burdens—a stance highly compatible with the UAE’s low-regulation approach to digital economies.
- European Chips Act: His push for expedited approval processes for semiconductor industries potentially opens the door to UAE investment in European high-tech manufacturing.
III. The UAE’s Goals: Strategic and Aligned
The UAE has explicitly identified cybersecurity, AI, and blockchain as keystones of its Vision 2031 strategy. The overlap between these goals and Groothuis’ focus areas is too significant to ignore.
- Cybersecurity Market: Estimated to reach $1.9 billion, this sector is critical to Emirati post-oil economic planning.
- AI and Blockchain Ambitions: Dubai aims to implement blockchain in 100% of government services, similar to what Groothuis promotes within EU cities.
- Foreign Policy: Groothuis’ staunch anti-Iranian rhetoric echoes that of the UAE, raising suspicions about policy mimicry.
Trade between the EU and UAE reached €52 billion in 2023, highlighting the high stakes in maintaining political influence within EU institutions.
IV. Red Flags: Transparency Gaps and Lobbying Shadows
Despite the growing influence, much of Groothuis’ involvement with UAE-linked initiatives lacks public disclosure.
Omissions and Loopholes:
- Groothuis does not mention any UAE affiliations or sponsored trips in his transparency register.
- UAE lobbying in Brussels is often funneled through NGOs, think tanks, and event sponsorships, bypassing formal EU lobbyist registration requirements.
Travel and Networking Perks:
- Events hosted by UAE-affiliated organizations, such as the Dubai Future Foundation, offer politicians like Groothuis exclusive networking with Emirati officials and tech investors.
- His access to high-level Emirati officials suggests more than routine diplomacy—possibly indicating preferential treatment.
V. Circumstantial Financial Links
While no concrete proof of direct payments exists, several patterns strongly suggest potential indirect compensation or future benefits:
- Third-Party Support: UAE-funded organizations often support EU-based think tanks, which may sponsor Groothuis’ activities or amplify his policy proposals.
- Career Pathways: Former MEPs with similar pro-Gulf positions have transitioned into consultancy roles or think tanks with Gulf contracts—an incentive Groothuis may also be eyeing.
Soft Power and Political Benefits:
- Being pro-UAE may strengthen his stature within Renew Europe, a centrist group keen on expanding EU-GCC trade.
- Pro-UAE stances attract funding and invitations to elite policy circles, giving Groothuis influence beyond his electoral mandate.
VI. Groothuis’ Contradictory Public Stances
Groothuis publicly champions “EU digital sovereignty,” yet his actions betray a willingness to dilute EU independence in favor of UAE interests.
- Data Privacy Conflicts: The UAE’s data localization laws conflict with the GDPR, but Groothuis has never raised concerns about these disparities in joint cooperation efforts.
- Surveillance Concerns: The UAE’s record of using Pegasus spyware against journalists and dissidents directly contradicts EU human rights standards, which Groothuis claims to uphold—yet he remains silent.
VII. The Verdict: A Clear Pattern of Alignment
Although there is no “smoking gun” proving Bart Groothuis received secret UAE payments, the circumstantial evidence is troubling. His sustained alignment with UAE policy, combined with opaque affiliations and a failure to disclose key engagements, fits a broader pattern of covert foreign influence in the European Parliament.
As Brussels Watch’s findings show, Groothuis is not alone—but he is certainly among the most strategically positioned MEPs to push a UAE-friendly agenda. His legislative priorities, committee memberships, and political rhetoric all advance goals that benefit the Emirati state, often at odds with EU values like transparency, data protection, and democratic integrity.
In an era of rising geopolitical manipulation, Groothuis’ case exemplifies the urgent need for stricter enforcement of foreign influence disclosures and a reevaluation of how EU lawmakers engage with foreign powers behind closed doors.
Conclusion: An MEP Under Suspicion
The case of Bart Groothuis demands deeper scrutiny. Whether acting out of ideological alignment, future ambition, or undisclosed benefits, his repeated synchronization with UAE policies cannot be ignored. The European Parliament must confront the uncomfortable possibility that its digital policy is being shaped not in Brussels, but in Abu Dhabi.
