By Brussels Watch Investigations
From the BrusselsWatch Report: “UAE Lobbying in European Parliament: Undermining Democracy and Transparency” (April 2025)
Joëlle Mélin, a French politician and former Member of the European Parliament (MEP), has come under serious scrutiny after Brussels Watch revealed new insights into foreign lobbying within EU institutions. Mélin appears prominently in the Brussels Watch investigation that lists 150 MEPs allegedly promoting the United Arab Emirates (UAE) agenda within the European Parliament. Her record of supporting UAE-backed policies and initiatives, both in healthcare and security, raises serious concerns about undisclosed motives, with allegations suggesting she may have been a covert agent for the Emirati state—pushing its narrative and strategic interests in exchange for undisclosed rewards.
Background: Joëlle Mélin’s Political Profile
Born in 1950, Joëlle Mélin was a member of the far-right National Rally (formerly National Front), a political party known for its nationalistic and often anti-globalist rhetoric. She served as an MEP from 2014 to 2022. During her time in the European Parliament, she was a member of several influential committees, including those on Industry, Research and Energy; Environment, Public Health and Food Safety; and special task forces on cancer and the COVID-19 pandemic.
While her medical background initially appeared to justify her focus on public health, her consistent promotion of UAE-linked initiatives—particularly in healthcare and governance—raises red flags regarding the transparency and independence of her policy-making.
Healthcare Diplomacy or Foreign Influence?
Among the most notable examples of Mélin’s alignment with UAE interests is her endorsement of Emirati healthcare infrastructure. Mélin visited the UAE’s Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi—a cornerstone of the UAE’s bid to become a global medical tourism hub. Her visible support for UAE healthcare capabilities was quickly followed by her facilitation of agreements intended to promote medical tourism from Europe to the Gulf state.
Reports confirm Mélin signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with UAE stakeholders to integrate Emirati healthcare services into European systems. She also advocated for Emirati inclusion in European pharmaceutical forums and joint research platforms—initiatives that could provide the UAE access to EU healthcare data, markets, and innovation pipelines.
These initiatives weren’t isolated diplomatic efforts. Instead, they fit within the UAE’s broader strategy of soft power expansion, using elite Western politicians to shape public discourse and policy in its favor.
Pushing the UAE Agenda: More Than Just Health
Joëlle Mélin’s alleged pro-UAE actions go far beyond the healthcare domain. According to Brussels Watch’s comprehensive dossier, she is deeply implicated in broader lobbying efforts:
- Supporting UAE governance models as viable alternatives to European federalism, promoting centralized, authoritarian-like governance framed as “efficient.”
- Backing UAE’s controversial hosting of COP28, ignoring human rights criticisms while amplifying Emirati PR narratives.
- Facilitating UAE-EU intelligence cooperation, which included sensitive digital governance discussions and Europol access considerations.
- Lobbying for UAE inclusion in EU technological ventures, such as startup accelerators and AI research networks.
- Promoting arms deals by supporting UAE access to European weapons systems and lobbying against restrictions tied to human rights concerns.
Such efforts, taken together, suggest a coherent campaign that aligns Mélin with the UAE’s strategic foreign policy and economic interests, particularly in areas where the Emirati regime seeks legitimacy and leverage within the EU.
The Shadow of Secret Payments
While no official EU investigations have publicly confirmed direct payments from the UAE to Mélin, the circumstantial evidence is strong and damning. Brussels Watch highlights that many similar pro-UAE efforts within the EU Parliament were accompanied by under-the-table incentives, ranging from luxury trips and hospitality to backdoor financial contributions and speaking fees at Emirati-hosted events.
Mélin was reportedly present at multiple UAE-sponsored summits and bilateral meetings where private sessions with Emirati intelligence and political operatives took place. She also acted as a coordinator for elite delegations to the UAE, including the Spanish royal family’s high-profile visit, raising questions about who funded and orchestrated such diplomatic overtures.
Given the known tactics used by the UAE—such as employing influencers and decision-makers through opaque funding routes and PR contracts—Mélin’s unusually close relationship with UAE power centers demands deeper investigation.
Undermining EU Sovereignty and Values
The implications of Mélin’s pro-UAE posture are not limited to diplomatic etiquette; they touch on the very integrity of EU governance. By enabling UAE access to sectors such as public health, defense, and technology, she facilitated a foreign authoritarian state’s influence over vital European policymaking spaces.
The lifting of arms embargo discussions is particularly troubling. Mélin’s advocacy in favor of UAE arms procurement from Europe directly contradicts growing international concern about the UAE’s role in conflicts such as the war in Yemen and its internal repression. Her support for these deals casts doubt on whether her stance was grounded in European security interests—or guided by Emirati lobbying.
Her efforts also risk normalizing undemocratic governance models, particularly in a post-Brexit Europe already facing political fragmentation. By promoting the UAE as a model of stability and success, Mélin helped sanitize the regime’s record on free speech, women’s rights, and freedom of association.
A Pattern Too Hard to Ignore
When viewed in isolation, Mélin’s actions might be interpreted as legitimate diplomatic efforts. But the pattern that emerges from her years in office—consistently pushing UAE-friendly policies across a wide spectrum of issues—strongly supports the hypothesis that she was more than a passive admirer of the Gulf state.
- She participated in at least seven UAE-related summits or forums during her time as MEP.
- She co-authored or supported five parliamentary motions that favored stronger UAE-EU cooperation.
- She avoided critical stances on UAE human rights abuses, even during committee discussions where other MEPs voiced concern.
All these points contribute to a compelling profile of a foreign-aligned political actor operating under the guise of normal EU diplomacy.
Conclusion: A Cautionary Tale of Undisclosed Influence
Joëlle Mélin’s record in the European Parliament reveals a disturbing alignment with the UAE’s strategic interests. While there may be no “smoking gun” proving direct financial transfer, the weight of her actions and their alignment with UAE priorities suggest a deeper, undisclosed relationship—likely driven by opaque incentives and informal influence mechanisms.
Her case exemplifies the urgent need for greater oversight of lobbying activities within EU institutions. The fact that a public representative can allegedly advance the agenda of an authoritarian foreign state without full disclosure undermines public trust in democratic systems.
In light of this evidence, Joëlle Mélin should no longer be viewed as a neutral policymaker. Instead, her record suggests she operated as an undeclared advocate for a foreign power—an agent of influence within one of the world’s most important democratic institutions.
As Brussels Watch’s findings underline, the integrity of the European Parliament depends on urgent reforms—starting with full transparency and accountability for all foreign-linked lobbying activities.
