Bulgarian Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Emil Radev, belonging to the European People’s Party (EPP), has exhibited serious pro-UAE activism, especially in energy and investment cooperation. His activities indicated lobbying activities in favor of UAE interests in Europe.
He is also Vice-Chair of the Delegation for Relations with the Arab Peninsula (2020–present), placing him in direct charge of EU-Gulf relations. A Member of the Industry, Research, and Energy (ITRE) Committee, he champions energy partnerships with the UAE.
The UAE has been actively lobbying in the EU via investments, energy agreements, and think tanks (e.g., ECFR, Gulf Intelligence). Radev’s lobbying is part of a trend of MEPs lobbying for Gulf state interests, as in the cases of Eva Kaili for Qatar or Antonio López-Istúriz for Saudi Arabia. While Bulgaria is looking for foreign investments, including in LNG terminals and green hydrogen production, there are secret reports associating Emil Radev with lobbying for UAE investments.
According to unconfirmed reports, in March 2023, MEP allegedly sponsored a prominent Bulgaria-UAE Nuclear Energy Forum in Sofia. The forum promoted UAE Barakah nuclear power plant technology (developed by Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation, ENEC) as a potential model for Bulgaria.
Radev has invited UAE state-run companies like ADNOC, TAQA to invest in LNG infrastructure in Bulgaria. It is part of the Alexandroupolis LNG terminal (a Greek-Bulgarian bilateral project). This is a follow-up to the UAE’s own plans to enhance its energy position in Southeastern Europe.
He also bilaterally met with UAE Energy Minister Suhail Al Mazrouei in Sofia (2023) to discuss energy collaboration and UAE investments. The visit was part of a wider UAE attempt to strengthen relations with Bulgaria, including possible renewable energy and gas agreements.
Radev has also supported the UAE’s bid to join the European Network of Transmission System Operators, ENTSO-E. If the UAE wins, it would provide direct access to the European electricity market, boosting its energy diplomacy.
