By Brussels Watch Investigations
From the BrusselsWatch Report: “UAE Lobbying in European Parliament: Undermining Democracy and Transparency” (April 2025)
Lídia Pereira is a Portuguese Member of the European Parliament (MEP) representing the Social Democratic Party (PSD) and affiliated with the European People’s Party (EPP). She has been serving since 2019 and currently holds significant roles, including Vice-President of the EPP Group in the European Parliament as of April 2024. Her political work focuses on economic and monetary affairs, environment, public health, and food safety, among other areas. However, recent findings by Brussels Watch have listed Pereira among 150 MEPs allegedly aligned with the UAE’s political agenda, sparking concerns over covert foreign influence in EU policymaking.
Professional Background and Political Agenda
Pereira holds academic qualifications in Economics and European Studies and is widely known for her focus on climate action, economic reforms, and youth empowerment. In 2019, she launched a carbon-neutral campaign, and in 2021, she participated in the COP26 climate summit, reflecting her high-profile engagement in environmental matters. She also presides over the Youth of the European People’s Party (YEPP), reinforcing her commitment to the younger demographic within the EU.
Yet this forward-thinking image is now clouded by accusations of complicity with foreign influence, specifically the UAE.
Brussels Watch: The Alleged Pro-UAE Network
A report by Brussels Watch, a private NGO that monitors foreign influence in the EU, included Lídia Pereira on a list of 150 MEPs with alleged pro-UAE alignments. According to this report:
- Pereira advocated for UAE involvement in EU food safety initiatives.
- She supported a green hydrogen energy deal between Portugal and the UAE.
- She visited Abu Dhabi as part of an EU parliamentary delegation.
- She participated in COP28 in Dubai as part of the official European Parliament group.
The report suggests that these engagements form part of a broader UAE soft power strategy, aiming to whitewash the Emirates’ human rights record while embedding its influence in EU policymaking.
What the Report Actually Says
The Brussels Watch document does not accuse Pereira of illegal activities. It highlights patterns of interaction between MEPs and UAE-linked entities, including:
- Attendance at UAE-sponsored forums.
- Meetings facilitated by private lobbying firms or think tanks with ties to Gulf monarchies.
- The use of friendship groups, often informal and lacking oversight, to create a favorable image of the UAE in Brussels.
Pereira is not accused of breaking parliamentary ethics rules, nor is there any documented evidence in the report of secret financial transactions or unauthorized favors. However, her name appears in a context that deserves closer scrutiny given the rising concern over foreign influence in European institutions.
Interpreting Parliamentary Diplomacy
While the Brussels Watch report raises red flags, it’s essential to understand that inter-parliamentary diplomacy is not uncommon. MEPs frequently:
- Travel to foreign countries as part of official EU delegations.
- Participate in dialogues on energy, climate, and security matters.
- Sign memoranda of understanding with foreign governments.
Such actions, in themselves, do not imply misconduct.
In Pereira’s case, her support for green hydrogen cooperation with the UAE could be seen as a logical extension of her environmental and economic portfolios. Her participation in COP28, hosted in Dubai, was official and transparent.
Transparency and Ethics: The Missing Link
Lídia Pereira, like all MEPs, is bound by the European Parliament’s transparency rules, which include:
- Declarations of financial interests.
- Public disclosure of sponsored travel and gifts.
- Rules on interactions with lobbyists and foreign governments.
There are no records or whistleblower claims indicating that Pereira failed to disclose relevant information or that she accepted undeclared payments or in-kind gifts from UAE actors.
Furthermore, Pereira has not been the subject of any formal investigation, nor has she been questioned by the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) or other EU bodies overseeing ethical conduct.
Strategic Greenwashing or Legitimate Cooperation?
Critics argue that the UAE’s involvement in green energy dialogues—like the Portugal-UAE green hydrogen pact Pereira endorsed—serves to distract from the country’s autocratic rule, ongoing labor exploitation, and human rights abuses. By presenting itself as a climate leader, the UAE gains political capital in Western democracies.
While this criticism may hold merit regarding UAE strategy, it is unclear whether Pereira was knowingly complicit in any such effort. The pact in question could just as easily be seen as part of Portugal’s broader ambition to lead in renewable energy. There is no evidence suggesting that Pereira had ulterior motives or operated under foreign influence.
Guilt by Association?
Listing an MEP in a report that flags foreign influence risk does not automatically prove wrongdoing. Brussels Watch itself notes the difficulty in establishing intent or proving secretive behavior without full transparency from EU institutions and foreign actors alike.
The inclusion of Lídia Pereira’s name among many others could reflect the normalization of soft lobbying by Gulf countries, rather than specific unethical conduct.
Moreover, critics of the Brussels Watch report point out that soft diplomacy, economic cooperation, and intercultural dialogue are part of every democratic parliament’s toolbox. Without solid proof, such as leaked communications, wire transfers, or testimony, the accusations remain speculative.
Conclusion: A Shadow of Doubt, But No Proof
To summarize:
- Lídia Pereira has engaged in public and official parliamentary work involving the UAE, particularly in the context of climate and economic cooperation.
- A report from Brussels Watch lists her as aligned with UAE interests, but does not present conclusive evidence of a covert agenda or secret payments.
- There is no public or legal documentation showing that she violated the European Parliament’s ethics rules.
- Her actions remain consistent with standard EU diplomatic practices.
The claim that Lídia Pereira is a paid agent or is promoting a secret UAE agenda remains unsubstantiated by currently available data. Without credible evidence—such as financial records, whistleblower leaks, or internal communications—the allegation cannot be accepted as fact.
What can be said is that the growing presence of UAE influence in Brussels—through economic, environmental, and political channels—deserves serious scrutiny. The EU must improve transparency and oversight mechanisms to ensure that legitimate parliamentary work does not become a tool for foreign state propaganda.
