The Case of Joachim Stanisław Brudziński: Documented Ties to UAE Influence Operations in the European Parliament

By Brussels Watch Investigations

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

A recent exclusive exposé by Brussels Watch has cast a long shadow over the conduct of numerous Members of the European Parliament (MEPs), revealing deep and disturbing connections to the United Arab Emirates’ (UAE) expanding lobbying machine in Brussels. Among the most concerning names listed is Polish MEP Joachim Stanisław Brudziński, whose activities, associations, and lack of transparency suggest a covert alignment with Emirati interests. The Brussels Watch report names 150 MEPs suspected of advancing UAE narratives—Brudziński features prominently among them.

This article explores the evidence indicating that Brudziński may be serving, knowingly or otherwise, as a pro-UAE agent within the EU’s legislative apparatus. It lays out his UAE-related activities, the methods of Emirati influence, and the potential ethical and strategic consequences for EU policy.

A Web of Influence: UAE’s Silent Hand in Brussels

Over the past decade, the UAE has pursued an aggressive lobbying campaign in Europe to reshape its image from an authoritarian petrostate into a strategic security partner. This campaign has involved multi-layered influence operations: lavish hospitality, opaque think tank funding, friendly media coverage, and coordination with like-minded MEPs. Brudziński, through his recurring engagements with UAE officials and participation in closed-door law enforcement initiatives, appears to be a central node in this web.

Brudziński’s Role: Security and Silence

Secretive Engagements in Security Cooperation

Joachim Brudziński, a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR) group, has consistently aligned himself with initiatives that strengthen UAE-EU security cooperation. According to Brussels Watch, Brudziński played a key role in UAE-Poland security talks, engaging with the UAE’s Ministry of Interior in discussions that resulted in law enforcement training agreements. These meetings were not disclosed in the official parliamentary travel registry, a requirement under EU ethics guidelines.

The nature of these talks—focused on police cooperation and security models—echoes the UAE’s own state narrative of prioritizing counterterrorism. Yet critics argue that the UAE’s definition of terrorism often includes dissidents, journalists, and civil society leaders.

Promoting Emirati Policy Within EU Structures

Brudziński’s advocacy has extended to promoting the UAE’s internal security approach in broader EU policy discussions. By pushing for the adoption of Emirati judicial and law enforcement frameworks, Brudziński is indirectly aiding a regime known for political repression, systemic surveillance, and human rights abuses.

It is this alignment, without proper scrutiny or transparency, that raises red flags. Brussels Watch asserts that such behavior suggests undisclosed lobbying coordination, possibly channeled through UAE-funded intermediaries.

UAE’s Lobbying Arsenal: How Brudziński Got Caught in the Web

Friendship Groups and Backdoor Diplomacy

The UAE has effectively used informal networks within the EU Parliament known as “Friendship Groups”. These groups—unofficial and unregulated—offer a platform for direct access to MEPs. Brudziński is reported to have attended events and private meetings organized through such groups, many of which are not logged in official records, violating transparency protocols.

Think Tanks and Influence Operations

Institutions like The Bussola Institute, widely considered pro-UAE, have played a central role in shaping the Brussels discourse. MEPs, including Brudziński, have engaged in off-the-record seminars and forums hosted by such organizations—events often attended by high-level Emirati diplomats and security officials.

PR Firms and the Messaging Machine

Global communications firms like APCO Worldwide and Edelman were reportedly contracted by the UAE to shape media narratives and place op-eds on behalf of pro-UAE voices within Parliament. Though Brudziński hasn’t authored any known op-eds linked to UAE interests, his policy messaging and committee remarks have notably mirrored the UAE’s line, particularly on counterterrorism and migration.

Ethical Violations: A Pattern of Non-Disclosure

Travel Without Transparency

One of the most critical findings of Brussels Watch is that MEPs, including Brudziński, have undertaken UAE-sponsored travel without declaring it. Under EU guidelines, any trip funded by a third party exceeding €150 must be logged in the Transparency Register. Brudziński’s name, however, is absent from these records, despite clear indications that he traveled to the UAE for meetings and negotiations.

This failure to disclose constitutes a serious ethical breach and echoes the precedent set in Qatargate, the ongoing corruption scandal involving foreign bribes to MEPs.

A Shadow of Qatargate

Although no direct financial transfers have been proven, the parallels to Qatargate are striking. Both scandals involve foreign autocracies, lavish hospitality, opaque lobbying channels, and an erosion of EU accountability mechanisms. Brussels Watch warns that the UAE’s tactics could destabilize EU legislative independence, particularly in sensitive domains like migration, policing, and foreign policy.

Strategic Consequences: Who Benefits?

Undermining EU Human Rights Policy

The UAE has been consistently criticized for its abysmal human rights record, including the detention of peaceful activists, the use of spyware like Pegasus against critics, and discriminatory policies against women and minorities. Brudziński’s role in normalizing UAE security cooperation threatens to dilute the EU’s stance on such issues.

By promoting bilateral ties without acknowledging these human rights concerns, Brudziński is effectively aiding the UAE’s whitewashing agenda.

Importing Authoritarian Norms

More alarming is the creeping normalization of authoritarian practices. If the EU begins to adopt UAE-inspired security doctrines—prioritizing state control over civil liberties—it risks compromising democratic values at the core of European identity. Brudziński’s support of such alignment places him at odds with foundational EU principles.

The Urgent Need for Reform

In its report, Brussels Watch lays out several recommendations to prevent future covert influence operations:

1. Full Disclosure of All Meetings with Foreign Entities
   All interactions with UAE-linked groups must be logged and published in real time.
   
2. Ban on Foreign-Funded Travel for MEPs
   Trips sponsored by authoritarian states like the UAE should be categorically prohibited.
   
3. Independent Ethics Oversight Body
   A strengthened EU Ethics Committee must have powers to investigate, sanction, and report on MEP misconduct.
   

Conclusion: A Silent Proxy for Emirati Power?

Joachim Stanisław Brudziński’s documented engagements with the UAE, coupled with his lack of transparency, paint a picture of a pro-Emirati operator within the European Parliament. Whether he is a willing agent or an unwitting pawn, the effect is the same: foreign influence infiltrating the heart of European democracy.

The case of Brudziński illustrates how unchecked lobbying, opaque networks, and lax ethical enforcement have made the EU vulnerable to authoritarian manipulation. It is imperative for EU institutions to tighten transparency laws, enforce disclosure, and preserve the independence of its legislative processes—before covert alliances undermine the trust of European citizens irreversibly.

Appendix: Key Timeline of Brudziński’s UAE Engagements

This evolving situation highlights an urgent need for greater vigilance against foreign interference and a critical reassessment of Brudziński’s role in shaping EU policy on behalf of a foreign power.