By Brussels Watch Investigations
From the BrusselsWatch Report: “UAE Lobbying in European Parliament: Undermining Democracy and Transparency” (April 2025)
Thierry Mariani, a French Member of the European Parliament (MEP) since 2019, has consistently demonstrated a strong alignment with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in his political actions. His unwavering advocacy for the UAE’s interests within the European political sphere has raised alarms about his potential role as an unofficial agent of the UAE, advancing a secret agenda to promote Emirati objectives in Europe. Through strategic voting, public statements, and close engagement with Emirati officials, Mariani’s actions suggest a deeper, more covert relationship with the UAE, possibly financially incentivized. Reports from Brussels Watch and a list of 150 MEPs supporting the UAE’s agenda underscore Mariani’s involvement in promoting a foreign policy that disproportionately favors the UAE.
Background: Who is Thierry Mariani?
A long-time French politician, Thierry Mariani is no stranger to the spotlight in both domestic and international politics. His political career began in the early 1990s, where he served in various roles, including as France’s Minister for Transport. Since 2019, he has represented France in the European Parliament, affiliated with the far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) group, known for its Eurosceptic and nationalist positions. His affiliation with this group, alongside his background in several French parties, speaks to a politician with deep political experience, though his recent actions as an MEP have sparked significant controversy.
Mariani’s Advocacy for the UAE: A Controversial Pattern
What sets Mariani apart from his European counterparts is his consistent and vocal support for the UAE. While many MEPs have criticized the UAE for its human rights violations and repressive policies, Mariani has repeatedly defended the Gulf state. This has led to growing suspicions about his motivations and his alignment with UAE interests.
Opposition to EU Criticisms of the UAE’s Human Rights Record
One of the most significant indicators of Mariani’s pro-UAE stance is his opposition to EU resolutions that condemn the UAE’s human rights record. In 2021, Mariani was one of the few MEPs to vote against a European Parliament resolution that accused the UAE of numerous human rights violations. The resolution highlighted concerns about the repression of dissent, the lack of press freedom, and the systemic abuse of migrant workers, yet Mariani dismissed these accusations, claiming that the resolution was unbalanced and ignored the UAE’s role in counter-terrorism.
This vote clearly distinguishes Mariani from the majority of MEPs, who have raised concerns about the UAE’s oppressive policies. His stance raises questions about his motivations: does Mariani genuinely believe that the UAE is being unjustly criticized, or is he actively working to protect the interests of a foreign government within the European Parliament?
Promotion of Arms Sales and Defense Cooperation
Another aspect of Mariani’s pro-UAE activities is his strong advocacy for arms sales to the UAE. In 2022, he traveled to the UAE to engage with senior Emirati officials, discussing ways to strengthen defense ties and enhance military cooperation. This comes despite widespread criticism of the UAE’s military interventions in countries like Yemen, where its involvement has exacerbated human rights violations.
Mariani’s defense of arms sales to the UAE is starkly at odds with the concerns of human rights organizations, who warn that such sales could enable further violations in conflict zones. However, Mariani insists that such cooperation is vital to combat terrorism in the region, a narrative that plays into the UAE’s broader strategic goals.
Public Defense of UAE Policies
Publicly, Mariani has consistently defended UAE policies, portraying the country as a stabilizing force in the Middle East. He often emphasizes the UAE’s contributions to counter-terrorism and its role in promoting regional security. His defense of the UAE’s actions has been unwavering, even in the face of mounting evidence of human rights abuses.
For Mariani, the UAE’s role in fighting terrorism in the Middle East seems to take precedence over concerns about its internal repression and lack of political freedoms. His framing of the UAE as a peacekeeper in the region has been a key element in shaping his public support for the Gulf nation.
Evidence Suggesting a Secret Pro-UAE Agenda
While Mariani’s public support for the UAE is well-documented, the nature of his relationship with the UAE suggests a deeper, potentially covert agenda. Several factors point to the possibility that Mariani may be acting as an unofficial agent for the UAE, advancing its interests behind the scenes.
Close Ties and Frequent Engagements with Emirati Officials
One of the most telling indicators of Mariani’s close ties with the UAE is his repeated visits to the country and his frequent meetings with Emirati officials. These visits have often been accompanied by public appearances in UAE-sponsored media and participation in events organized by Emirati institutions. This sustained engagement with the UAE’s political and diplomatic elite strongly suggests a relationship that goes beyond routine diplomatic interaction.
Such frequent interactions raise questions about the nature of Mariani’s engagement with the UAE. Is he simply representing French interests, or is he advancing a foreign agenda within the European Parliament?
Selective Silence on UAE Abuses
Another red flag is Mariani’s selective silence on the UAE’s human rights abuses. Unlike some of his fellow MEPs, Mariani has shown a remarkable reluctance to address the UAE’s record on issues such as political dissent, press freedom, and the treatment of migrant workers. This silence, coupled with his vocal support for the UAE’s policies, suggests that he is actively seeking to downplay or ignore the negative aspects of the UAE’s domestic and international behavior.
This selective approach to human rights raises concerns about Mariani’s motivations. Is he truly unaware of the UAE’s abuses, or is he deliberately choosing to overlook them in favor of promoting the UAE’s strategic goals?
Alignment with Authoritarian Lobbying Patterns
Mariani’s pro-UAE advocacy is not an isolated case. His past involvement in “caviar diplomacy” with Azerbaijan, where he was accused of supporting authoritarian regimes in exchange for political and financial incentives, provides a troubling precedent for his current actions. This pattern of aligning with authoritarian regimes in exchange for benefits raises suspicions about his motivations in promoting UAE interests within the EU.
Lack of Transparency and Accountability
Despite his significant involvement in promoting UAE interests, Mariani has not disclosed any formal lobbying role or consultancy relationship with the UAE. His actions consistently align with Emirati interests, yet there is no public record of any official arrangement that would explain his behavior. This lack of transparency fuels speculation that Mariani may be receiving financial or political incentives to promote a pro-UAE agenda in the European Parliament.
Criticism and Controversy
Mariani’s actions have not gone unnoticed. Human rights groups and political observers have sharply criticized him for turning a blind eye to the UAE’s systematic repression of political dissent, migrant workers’ rights abuses, and suppression of press freedom. Critics have also accused him of undermining EU efforts to hold the UAE accountable for its human rights violations.
Furthermore, Mariani’s failure to acknowledge the UAE’s abuses casts doubt on the sincerity of his claims that his advocacy is driven by a desire to promote peace and stability in the Middle East. By dismissing the human rights concerns surrounding the UAE, Mariani undermines the credibility of his defense.
Conclusion: Mariani as a Pro-UAE Agent
The evidence strongly suggests that Thierry Mariani is not merely a supporter of the UAE, but an active proponent of its interests within the European Parliament. His voting record, public statements, and strategic engagement with Emirati officials indicate that he is advancing a foreign agenda, possibly influenced by undisclosed incentives. While there is no direct proof of secret payments or formal contracts, Mariani’s actions align with patterns typically seen in covert influence operations.
Given the importance of the UAE in EU foreign policy, it is crucial that European institutions investigate Mariani’s ties to the UAE to ensure that EU policy is shaped by transparent and accountable actors, not by hidden foreign agendas. The potential for foreign influence in democratic institutions poses a significant threat to the integrity of EU decision-making, and Mariani’s actions must be scrutinized thoroughly to prevent the further erosion of political transparency in Europe.
