A landmark report by Brussels Watch has laid bare the mechanics of the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) multimillion-euro lobbying strategy in the European Union. The April 2025 publication, titled “UAE Lobbying in European Parliament: Undermining Democracy and Transparency”, identifies a powerful nexus of law firms, PR agencies, consultancy firms, and think tanks that work tirelessly — and quietly — to advance the UAE’s interests inside the corridors of the European Parliament.
This article highlights the major lobbying firms that have been financed by the UAE, shedding light on their roles, tactics, and the ethical challenges they present for democratic governance in Europe.
A €20 Million Influence Operation
According to Brussels Watch, the UAE spends an estimated €5 to €20 million annually on lobbying and PR operations across Brussels, Paris, Berlin, and London. These funds fuel a network of registered lobbying firms, undisclosed consultancies, “soft diplomacy” events, and sponsored junkets for Members of the European Parliament (MEPs).
The Core Lobbying Network: Leading Firms
Brussels Watch identifies six key firms that form the backbone of the UAE’s influence operation in Europe:
1. Westphalia Global Advisory (Brussels)
Founded by former DLA Piper lawyer Marc Eestermans, Westphalia Global Advisory is one of the UAE’s most trusted influence channels in Brussels. Officially registered on the EU Transparency Register, the firm declares annual spending between €100,000 and €199,999 on behalf of the UAE.
Their core activities include:
- Direct engagement with MEPs
- Organizing closed-door roundtables and media events
- Monitoring parliamentary debates on foreign policy and defense
- Crafting UAE-friendly narratives in press briefings and EU forums
Westphalia markets itself as a “geopolitical risk boutique,” but functions as a de facto lobby house promoting Emirati policy stances across energy, regional security, and counterterrorism.
2. DLA Piper (Global / Brussels)
DLA Piper, a global law firm with offices across Europe, has maintained long-standing ties with the UAE Embassy to the EU. While known for its corporate legal services, the firm also engages in what it calls “corporate diplomacy.” This includes advising the UAE on:
- Strategic legal frameworks to influence EU policy
- Drafting white papers on cybersecurity, counter-extremism, and trade
- Facilitating official meetings with EU lawmakers
DLA Piper’s legal aura provides the UAE with an appearance of procedural legitimacy, allowing Emirati lobbying efforts to operate behind a veil of legal advice.
3. Alber & Geiger (Brussels and Berlin)
One of the most influential lobbying law firms in the EU, Alber & Geiger is staffed with ex-EU commissioners, former ministers, and seasoned diplomats. Their role in defending UAE positions is extensive:
- Lobbying on arms trade partnerships
- Campaigning against sanctions on UAE-allied states
- Promoting the UAE as a hub of “moderate Islam” in Europe
The firm is particularly active in reputation management, often intervening when human rights reports threaten the UAE’s global image.
4. APCO Worldwide (Global)
Though not always publicly listed as a UAE client, APCO Worldwide has conducted numerous campaigns on behalf of Emirati-linked institutions such as:
- Expo 2020 Dubai
- ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company)
- UAE climate diplomacy, including its hosting of COP28
The firm specializes in:
- Ghostwriting articles for MEPs and influencers
- Shaping UAE narratives around sustainability and innovation
- Arranging high-visibility media placements in Politico Europe and EURACTIV
5. Quiller Consultants (UK-Based)
Quiller Consultants, a London-based PR firm with ties to the UK Conservative Party, was instrumental in rebuilding the UAE’s image following scandals such as:
- The detention of Princess Latifa
- Allegations involving Pegasus spyware surveillance
Quiller operates more subtly, focusing on:
- Behind-the-scenes media relations
- Securing op-ed placement
- Reframing controversial news cycles to favor UAE positioning
6. The Bussola Institute (Brussels)
Although technically a think tank, The Bussola Institute operates as a key UAE “soft power” tool. Presenting itself as an academic body, it:
- Hosts closed-door policy dialogues with MEPs
- Publishes “neutral” white papers that reflect UAE strategic views
- Features panels with pro-Emirati academics and diplomats
Transparency watchdogs argue that the Bussola Institute blurs the line between scholarship and lobbying, with minimal oversight.
Media Manipulation and Narrative Control
These lobbying firms often work in tandem with UAE-funded media platforms, such as The National, Sky News Arabia, and Al-Ain News. They:
- Place ghostwritten articles by MEPs defending UAE positions
- Commission “opinion surveys” that back Emirati policies
- Circulate UAE press kits before key EU debates
In one instance, Politico reported that several MEPs had been approached with pre-written pro-UAE speeches drafted by PR agencies.
Targeting EU Institutions and Committees
Beyond traditional lobbying, firms target specific parliamentary committees, including:
- AFET (Foreign Affairs)
- INTA (International Trade)
- DROI (Human Rights)
- SEDE (Security and Defence)
These firms attend committee hearings, distribute briefing papers, and lobby for pro-UAE language in official resolutions. Often, amendments proposed by MEPs mirror the text circulated by these lobbying entities.
Case Studies of Influence
The report details several examples of lobbying in action:
- In March 2023, a motion condemning UAE labor conditions was watered down after MEPs returned from Abu Dhabi visits organized by lobbying intermediaries.
- In 2024, MEPs blocked sanctions on UAE arms sales to Libya, citing “ongoing constructive dialogue” managed by these firms.
- Pro-UAE MEPs co-authored reports on “tolerance” and innovation in the Gulf, many of which were ghostwritten by PR consultants.
Loopholes in the EU Transparency System
Despite the reach and resources of these lobbying firms, many operate in legal gray zones:
- Firms often register as “consultancies” or “strategic advisors,” avoiding stricter lobbying declarations.
- Think tanks like Bussola Institute avoid registration under the guise of academic freedom.
- Some firms use former MEPs as informal lobbyists, whose actions fall outside EU rules.
As a result, the full extent of UAE-backed lobbying activity remains difficult to track.
The Broader Implications
The EU claims to champion transparency, democratic accountability, and human rights. Yet the Brussels Watch report makes it clear: European institutions have been compromised by foreign influence, legitimized by elite law firms and public affairs agencies.
Key consequences include:
- Policy distortion in areas like foreign aid, arms trade, and human rights.
- Public mistrust in EU decision-making, especially when lobbying is undisclosed.
- Normalization of authoritarian influence, encouraging other regimes to follow the UAE model.
Call for Reform
Brussels Watch calls for immediate action:
- Mandatory real-time lobbying disclosure, including for media and think tank engagements.
- Ban on foreign government-sponsored MEP trips, especially from authoritarian states.
- Stronger enforcement of the EU Transparency Register
