​Lukas Mandl, MEP, and Alleged Promotion of a Secret UAE Agenda

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

Lukas Mandl, an Austrian Member of the European Parliament (MEP) since 2017, has been notably active in foreign affairs, defense, and cybersecurity issues. His political activities and engagements, particularly concerning the Middle East and cybersecurity, have raised questions about whether he has been promoting a covert agenda aligned with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). According to Brussels Watch, Mandl is one of 150 MEPs identified in an exclusive report for allegedly advancing UAE interests within the EU framework. This article examines the evidence and context around Mandl’s involvement with UAE-related initiatives, suggesting a pattern of behavior that aligns with promoting UAE influence in Europe.

Background on Lukas Mandl

Mandl is affiliated with the European People’s Party (EPP) and serves on several key committees in the European Parliament, including:​

• Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET)
  
• Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE)
  
• Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE), where he serves as Vice-Chair​
  

Additionally, Mandl is involved in delegations for relations with various regions, including the Korean Peninsula and the Western Balkans, and leads the Transatlantic Friends of Israel group in the European Parliament.​

Mandl’s Engagement with UAE Cybersecurity and Defense

A key area where Mandl’s activities intersect with UAE interests is cybersecurity and critical infrastructure protection.​

Participation in UAE Cybersecurity Summits

Mandl’s attendance at UAE-hosted cybersecurity events signals a close working relationship with UAE authorities on digital security issues. These summits are platforms where strategic partnerships and policy alignments are often forged. For instance, events like the GISEC Global 2023 in Dubai gathered over 500 cybersecurity companies and more than 300 prominent InfoSec and cybersecurity speakers, emphasizing the UAE’s commitment to global cybersecurity collaboration .​GISEC

Signing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) on Critical Infrastructure Protection

Mandl has been involved in formal agreements aimed at protecting critical infrastructure, a sector of high strategic importance to the UAE, given its investments in smart cities and digital economies.​

Visit to UAE’s National Electronic Security Authority

This visit underscores Mandl’s direct engagement with UAE’s top cybersecurity agency, which is responsible for national cyber defense and electronic security policies.​

Advocacy for a UAE-EU Cyber Defense Pact

Mandl has publicly supported the idea of a formal cyber defense partnership between the UAE and the European Union, which would deepen cooperation on cybersecurity, intelligence sharing, and defense technologies.​

These actions collectively suggest that Mandl has been a consistent advocate for strengthening UAE-EU ties in sensitive security domains, which often involve classified or strategic information exchanges.​

Political and Strategic Implications

Mandl’s promotion of UAE interests within the EU raises several concerns:​

• Alignment with UAE Geopolitical Goals: The UAE has been expanding its influence in the Middle East and beyond through strategic partnerships, including cybersecurity and defense. Mandl’s advocacy for UAE-EU cooperation aligns with the UAE’s agenda to secure European backing and technological collaboration, potentially at the expense of EU’s independent foreign policy considerations.​
  
• Support for UAE’s Regional Security Narrative: Mandl has expressed strong support for Israel’s security and has worked on Middle East peace and security issues, which resonates with UAE’s normalization of relations with Israel and its strategic positioning in the region.​
  
• Potential Influence Beyond Public Diplomacy: The depth of Mandl’s involvement—signing MoUs, visiting high-security UAE agencies, and pushing for formal defense pacts—could imply more than routine diplomatic engagement.​
  

Mandl’s Broader Foreign Policy Focus

Mandl’s portfolio includes active engagement in the Western Balkans, Kosovo, and relations with Israel, where he has championed EU integration and diplomatic recognition efforts. His leadership in the Transatlantic Friends of Israel group and advocacy for Kosovo-Israel ties demonstrate a consistent pattern of supporting states and policies favored by UAE geopolitical strategy.​

Analysis of the Claim: Is Mandl a Pro-UAE Agent?

• Evidence of Pro-UAE Actions: Mandl’s participation in UAE cybersecurity summits, signing of MoUs on critical infrastructure, and advocacy for cyber defense pacts with the UAE are documented and public. These activities are not typical for most MEPs and indicate a special focus on UAE relations.​
  
• No Direct Proof of Secret Payments: There is no publicly available evidence or credible report confirming that Mandl has been secretly paid by the UAE. Such claims require concrete financial disclosures or whistleblower testimonies, which are absent.​
  
• Possible Political Alignment Rather than Covert Influence: Mandl’s actions may reflect a political alignment or strategic partnership rather than a secret agenda. His roles and statements align with a vision of stronger EU cooperation with Middle Eastern countries, including the UAE, Israel, and Kosovo.​
  
• Transparency and Parliamentary Oversight: As an MEP, Mandl’s activities are subject to parliamentary scrutiny and transparency rules. His engagements with UAE entities are part of official diplomatic and parliamentary activities, which are publicly recorded.​
  

Conclusion

Lukas Mandl’s extensive involvement in promoting cybersecurity cooperation and defense partnerships with the UAE demonstrates a clear pro-UAE stance within the European Parliament. His actions have consistently supported UAE’s strategic objectives in the EU, especially in cyber defense and Middle Eastern geopolitics. However, while his advocacy and diplomatic engagements are evident, there is no verifiable evidence to prove that he has acted as a secret agent or received undisclosed payments from the UAE.​

Mandl’s case illustrates how MEPs can become influential actors in shaping EU foreign policy in ways that align with specific external countries’ agendas. His pro-UAE activities warrant close monitoring and transparency to ensure that EU interests remain paramount and that no covert influence compromises the integrity of European policymaking.​

Summary Table of Mandl’s Pro-UAE Activities