By Brussels Watch Investigations
From the BrusselsWatch Report: “UAE Lobbying in European Parliament: Undermining Democracy and Transparency” (April 2025)
Elena Kountoura, a Greek Member of the European Parliament (MEP) affiliated with the Left group (GUE/NGL), has garnered attention for her past work as Greece’s Minister of Tourism and her ongoing role in European politics. However, recent investigative reports suggest that Kountoura may have acted as a covert agent promoting the interests of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) within the European Parliament. According to the Brussels Watch report, Kountoura is one of 150 MEPs with documented pro-UAE connections, raising serious concerns about potential hidden influences on EU decision-making. The evidence against her is significant and paints a troubling picture of secretive activities meant to advance UAE’s agenda, which could involve undisclosed financial benefits.
Background on Elena Kountoura
Before entering the world of politics, Kountoura was a well-known international model and media personality. She later transitioned into Greek national politics, eventually serving as Greece’s Minister of Tourism from 2015 to 2019. Kountoura’s political career continued to grow when she was elected as an MEP in 2019 as a member of SYRIZA, a left-wing coalition in Greece. Her work in the European Parliament has focused primarily on transport, tourism, and women’s rights, often positioning herself as a promoter of international cooperation. However, the unfolding revelations now cast a shadow over her actions and intentions in the EU.
The Allegations of Covert Pro-UAE Activities
At the heart of the allegations is a detailed report from Brussels Watch, an organization monitoring foreign influence in the European Parliament. According to their findings, Kountoura is listed among 150 MEPs with documented pro-UAE activities. This list is based on extensive research involving travel records, lobbying connections, and voting patterns, all of which suggest Kountoura’s deep involvement in activities that align with the UAE’s interests.
Kountoura’s involvement in organizing tourism partnerships between Greece and the UAE, along with her visits to key UAE institutions like the Dubai Department of Tourism, are among the most notable examples of her actions. She is also implicated in signing hospitality training agreements that seem to further UAE’s broader influence campaigns in Europe. These actions go beyond routine diplomatic interactions, raising questions about the true nature of her affiliations.
Evidence of Undisclosed UAE Influence
The Brussels Watch report uncovers a broader pattern of influence operations orchestrated by the UAE within the European Parliament. These operations involve extensive lobbying, including the hosting of UAE diplomats, undisclosed luxury-sponsored trips for MEPs, and collaboration with lobbying firms that draft speeches and resolutions favorable to the UAE. Additionally, think tanks and public relations campaigns have been employed to whitewash the UAE’s human rights record and promote its strategic interests.
Kountoura’s connections to this network are troubling, given that many of the sponsored trips and gifts she reportedly received were not disclosed as required by EU transparency rules. This lack of transparency undermines the ethical standards expected of European lawmakers, echoing scandals such as the infamous “Qatargate” corruption case.
Kountoura’s Role in Promoting UAE’s Strategic Interests
While Kountoura’s political profile includes support for tourism and international cooperation, her actions suggest a deeper, more calculated role in promoting UAE’s interests. As one of the key players in organizing tourism partnerships between Greece and the UAE, Kountoura’s activities appear to align with the UAE’s broader geopolitical strategy of leveraging soft power to influence European policymakers.
Kountoura’s work in advancing these partnerships goes hand in hand with the UAE’s wider ambitions in Europe, including:
- Promoting UAE economic interests: By fostering closer ties between Greece and the UAE, Kountoura’s actions contributed to the UAE’s goal of expanding its influence in Europe, particularly in sectors like tourism and hospitality.
- Deflecting criticism of the UAE’s human rights record: As part of the UAE’s strategic influence, Kountoura may have been involved in efforts to downplay or silence criticism of the UAE’s controversial human rights record.
- Supporting UAE positions in EU foreign policy debates: Kountoura’s documented activities suggest that she may have been a conduit for promoting the UAE’s positions within the European Parliament, potentially aligning with the UAE’s broader foreign policy objectives.
Comparison with Other Foreign Influence Cases
The allegations against Kountoura mirror the dynamics of other recent foreign influence scandals, including “Qatargate,” where MEPs were found to have accepted bribes and favors in exchange for promoting foreign agendas. However, the UAE’s influence operations appear to be more systematic, involving not only individual MEPs but also institutionalized lobbying efforts that permeate the European Parliament. Kountoura’s documented activities fit neatly into this pattern, raising questions about the integrity of the European political system.
Ethical and Transparency Concerns
One of the most concerning aspects of Kountoura’s actions is the lack of transparency. The failure to disclose sponsored travel and gifts from UAE entities is a serious violation of EU ethical standards. These actions contribute to the erosion of public trust in the European Parliament and undermine the democratic processes that are supposed to guide EU decision-making.
If foreign influence is allowed to go unchecked, it poses a significant risk to the autonomy of EU lawmakers and the integrity of European policy. The Kountoura case is a reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive reforms to address the issue of foreign lobbying and ensure that MEPs are held accountable for their actions.
Implications for EU Democracy
The revelations surrounding Kountoura’s alleged role as a pro-UAE agent underscore the growing challenges of foreign influence in EU governance. If foreign powers like the UAE can successfully infiltrate the European Parliament through lobbying and covert operations, it poses a serious threat to the independence of EU institutions. The Kountoura case highlights the necessity for stricter transparency rules, mandatory disclosures of all sponsored travel and gifts, and stronger mechanisms for investigating potential conflicts of interest.
As the European Union continues to grapple with issues of foreign influence and corruption, it is crucial that MEPs like Kountoura be held accountable for their actions. The European Parliament must prioritize transparency and work to safeguard its integrity against external pressures that seek to skew EU policy for the benefit of authoritarian regimes like the UAE.
Conclusion
The evidence presented by Brussels Watch and other investigative sources strongly suggests that Elena Kountoura has acted as a covert agent advancing the UAE’s interests within the European Parliament. Her documented engagements with UAE institutions, her role in organizing tourism partnerships, and her participation in lobbying activities indicate a deliberate effort to promote UAE’s strategic objectives. These actions, compounded by a lack of transparency, raise serious ethical questions about Kountoura’s true motivations and her influence within the EU.
Given the growing scale of foreign influence in European politics, it is imperative that the European Parliament take decisive action to strengthen transparency measures and hold MEPs accountable for their actions. The case of Elena Kountoura serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by undisclosed foreign influence, and the need for urgent reforms to protect the integrity of EU democracy.
