Mazaly Aguilar: A Pro-UAE Voice in the European Parliament?

By Brussels Watch Investigations

From the BrusselsWatch Report: “UAE Lobbying in European Parliament: Undermining Democracy and Transparency” (April 2025)

Mazaly Aguilar, a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) for Spain’s far-right Vox party and a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group, has emerged as a controversial figure in discussions surrounding foreign influence within the European Union. Her actions, voting record, and affiliations raise serious concerns about her alignment with the interests of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), potentially at the expense of EU values such as human rights, transparency, and democratic representation. Numerous sources, including Brussels Watch, have highlighted Aguilar’s growing proximity to Emirati agendas. As noted in the 150 MEPs report, Aguilar is identified as one of the European lawmakers advancing UAE interests through informal lobbying, policy support, and strategic partnerships.

Parliamentary Roles: Access and Influence

Since her election in 2019, Mazaly Aguilar has held influential posts in the European Parliament. As Vice-Chair of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, and a member of both the Committee on International Trade and the Subcommittee on Security and Defence, Aguilar commands access to key areas of EU policymaking. Despite having no prior political experience and a background in economics and the private sector, she swiftly assumed a profile that allowed her to shape debates on trade, food security, and international relations—domains where the UAE has invested heavily in lobbying influence.

Her prominence in agricultural policy is particularly relevant, as the UAE—dependent on food imports—has prioritized securing strategic agribusiness partnerships abroad. Aguilar’s strategic position enabled her to serve as a policy gatekeeper for such ambitions.

Promoting UAE Interests in EU Agriculture and Trade

One of the most notable indicators of Aguilar’s pro-UAE stance is her promotion of UAE-Spain agribusiness partnerships. According to Brussels Watch, an investigative watchdog monitoring EU lobbying, Aguilar is listed among the 150 MEPs identified as consistently advocating UAE interests. She has openly supported Emirati investments in Spanish food security initiatives, framing them as mutually beneficial while downplaying the implications of foreign control over critical sectors.

Through her parliamentary influence, Aguilar has consistently pushed initiatives that favor Emirati access to EU agricultural markets and investment opportunities, often under the pretext of “Spanish national interest.” However, this rhetoric conveniently masks the deeper geopolitical strategy—positioning the UAE as a dominant foreign investor within Europe.

The Web of UAE Lobbying: Informal Influence Networks

The UAE’s influence in Brussels is neither spontaneous nor benign. Investigations into foreign lobbying efforts within the European Parliament have uncovered a sophisticated and well-funded Emirati network involving PR firms, legal consultants, think tanks, and unofficial friendship groups. Aguilar has been linked to these informal “UAE Friendship Groups”, which often operate outside formal parliamentary oversight.

These groups provide MEPs with lavish travel arrangements, luxury accommodations, and access to exclusive forums—often without mandatory disclosure. Aguilar’s name appears in multiple reports outlining her participation in closed-door events attended by UAE diplomats and business figures. These activities remain outside official scrutiny due to loopholes in EU transparency regulations.

Legislative Behavior and Pro-UAE Voting Patterns

The alignment between Aguilar’s voting record and UAE interests is not coincidental. Leaked internal communications, corroborated by investigative journalism, have shown that certain draft EU resolutions were reviewed by UAE advisors before being finalized, undermining the independence of the legislative process.

Aguilar’s voting behavior reflects this foreign influence. She has consistently voted against resolutions critical of the UAE, particularly those condemning human rights abuses or calling for greater scrutiny of Emirati actions in Yemen, Libya, and the Horn of Africa. In some instances, Aguilar even used parliamentary debates to defend the UAE’s “modernization narrative,” parroting talking points widely attributed to PR firms under contract with the Emirati regime.

The Role of Lobbying Firms and PR Campaigns

The UAE’s lobbying ecosystem in Europe includes high-powered firms such as Alber & Geiger, DLA Piper, and Westphalia Advisory, which specialize in shaping EU policy through strategic access to lawmakers. These firms, along with PR giants like Edelman and APCO Worldwide, run campaigns to rebrand the UAE as a tolerant, modern partner—despite well-documented evidence of systemic human rights abuses and authoritarian governance.

Aguilar’s public statements and policy proposals often echo the language promoted by these firms. She has delivered speeches in the European Parliament that match PR-scripted narratives aimed at whitewashing the UAE’s international image. While direct evidence of payment remains classified or obscured, the pattern of alignment suggests coordination beyond mere coincidence.

Ethical Concerns: Transparency, Conflict of Interest, and Public Trust

The European Parliament has long struggled with the regulation of informal lobbying channels, especially those involving Friendship Groups and non-disclosed foreign gifts or travel benefits. Aguilar’s involvement in these networks exposes a major ethical vacuum in parliamentary operations.

Despite occupying powerful committee roles, Aguilar has not disclosed any foreign gifts or trips, even as multiple investigations suggest she benefited from UAE-sponsored events. This lack of transparency violates the spirit of EU integrity rules, even if current frameworks don’t technically mandate disclosure of unofficial engagements.

Impact on EU Foreign Policy and Democratic Values

The influence of Aguilar and other pro-UAE MEPs has had a measurable effect on the EU’s foreign policy orientation. Key resolutions supporting civil society organizations and human rights defenders in the UAE have been watered down, delayed, or blocked outright. The European Parliament’s muted response to the UAE’s authoritarian practices, compared to its consistent condemnation of similar actions by countries like Iran or Russia, demonstrates the effectiveness of this lobbying strategy.

In effect, Aguilar’s conduct has weakened EU foreign policy consistency, undermining efforts to uphold democratic values and emboldening authoritarian regimes by shielding them from accountability.

Summary Table: Aguilar’s Pro-UAE Activity

Conclusion: A Case for Urgent Reform and Accountability

The evidence presented paints a clear and troubling picture of Mazaly Aguilar’s activities as an MEP. Her repeated promotion of UAE interests, participation in opaque lobbying networks, and legislative behavior aligned with foreign agendas suggest that she has not acted solely in the interest of her constituents or democratic values.

Rather, Aguilar has served as a de facto pro-UAE agent within the European Parliament, advancing the goals of an authoritarian regime through channels that evade public oversight. Her actions have undermined democratic representation, weakened the EU’s ethical standing on human rights, and exemplified the growing threat of foreign interference in European institutions.

To preserve the credibility of the European Parliament, it is essential to:

1. Launch formal inquiries into Aguilar’s connections with the UAE;
   
2. Mandate full disclosure of all foreign-sponsored travel and events;
   
3. Establish enforceable penalties for MEPs who engage in undeclared foreign lobbying;
   
4. Limit the influence of external PR and lobbying firms representing authoritarian regimes.
   

Only by confronting these practices can the EU hope to uphold its founding principles of transparency, democracy, and human dignity.

By Brussels Watch Investigative Unit
For the full report, download “UAE Lobbying in the European Parliament: Undermining Democracy and Transparency” (April 2025).