By Brussels Watch Investigations
From the BrusselsWatch Report: “UAE Lobbying in European Parliament: Undermining Democracy and Transparency” (April 2025)
Traian Băsescu, former President of Romania and current Member of the European Parliament (MEP), has been implicated in a broader network of European politicians allegedly promoting the interests of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) within EU institutions. Evidence from investigative reports and analyses—particularly those from Brussels Watch—reveals a complex web of influence, lobbying, and undisclosed engagements that suggest Băsescu acted in ways aligned with a secret agenda favoring the UAE. According to the 150 MEPs list compiled by Brussels Watch, Băsescu is among the individuals engaged in various activities interpreted as cooperative with UAE strategic objectives.
UAE’s Strategic Lobbying Network in Europe
Since 2017, the UAE has pursued an aggressive soft power and lobbying strategy aimed at shaping EU foreign policy to align with its authoritarian model and regional objectives. Unlike traditional state diplomacy, this strategy has relied heavily on indirect channels—such as NGOs, think tanks, public relations firms, and sympathetic MEPs. Through these channels, the UAE has worked to sanitize its human rights record, counteract criticism of its actions in Yemen and Libya, and lobby for favorable trade and security agreements.
Brussels Watch, an investigative initiative focusing on transparency in EU institutions, has identified around 150 Members of the European Parliament who have collaborated with or supported UAE agendas. These engagements often include undisclosed trips to the UAE, participation in luxurious events, and alignment with Emirati foreign policy objectives—all while avoiding proper disclosures mandated by EU ethics rules.
Traian Băsescu: A Key Pro-UAE Political Actor
Among the MEPs identified, Traian Băsescu emerges as a particularly influential figure. After leaving the Romanian presidency, Băsescu shifted his focus to European-level politics. According to documents and investigations published by Brussels Watch and other independent outlets, Băsescu has engaged in multiple activities that align with the UAE’s strategic interests.
These include:
- Advising UAE entities on Black Sea maritime security, a region vital for EU energy routes and NATO operations.
- Hosting UAE naval delegations at Romania’s port of Constanta, providing them with strategic access to a critical maritime hub.
- Signing port security and commercial agreements that would benefit UAE companies and state-controlled infrastructure projects.
These activities go beyond diplomatic gestures. They appear to serve a long-term UAE ambition to expand its influence in Eastern Europe and the Black Sea region—one of the EU’s most sensitive geopolitical frontiers.
Undisclosed Engagements and Ethical Breaches
One of the gravest concerns about Băsescu’s involvement is the complete lack of transparency. European Parliament rules require MEPs to declare trips, gifts, and meetings with foreign entities, particularly when these involve governments or political regimes under international scrutiny. Yet, no such declarations from Băsescu appear in the European Parliament’s transparency register concerning his UAE-related activities.
Investigations indicate that several of these meetings and engagements were coordinated through informal “friendship groups”—unofficial parliamentary alliances that promote relationships with foreign countries without formal oversight. These groups often operate under the radar and serve as a vehicle for discreet lobbying. According to Brussels Watch, some MEPs received first-class travel and five-star accommodations funded by UAE-linked entities while publicly promoting Emirati policies inside the European Parliament.
This kind of hidden influence mirrors scandals such as “Qatargate,” where MEPs were found to have accepted cash and gifts to promote Qatari interests. In Băsescu’s case, no direct evidence of financial payment has yet been made public, but the pattern of behavior and policy alignment strongly suggests covert influence.
A Pattern of Political Contradiction
What makes Băsescu’s position even more controversial is the contrast between his public rhetoric and his behind-the-scenes activities. As an MEP affiliated with the European People’s Party (EPP), he has adopted a hardline stance against immigration, once describing Europe’s situation as a “Muslim invasion.” However, his close ties to the Muslim-majority UAE expose an apparent contradiction—raising suspicions that his pro-UAE stance is motivated not by principle, but by personal or political benefit.
Adding to this is Băsescu’s checkered political past. In 2022, a Romanian court officially confirmed that he had collaborated with the Securitate, Romania’s secret police under communism. While this did not disqualify him from holding office, it raises further concerns about his susceptibility to undemocratic influences and lack of transparency.
The Larger UAE Agenda in Europe
The UAE’s lobbying strategy in Europe is not limited to Băsescu. It is part of a systematic and well-funded campaign aimed at softening the EU’s position on issues like arms sales, regional conflicts, and human rights. Emirati efforts have focused on:
- Silencing criticism of its involvement in the war in Yemen, where thousands of civilians have died in airstrikes conducted by the UAE-led coalition.
- Targeting Islamist groups and political opposition, often labeling them as “terrorist” to justify crackdowns.
- Enhancing trade and security cooperation with European states while downplaying concerns about surveillance, censorship, and the lack of democratic institutions in the Gulf.
In this context, MEPs like Băsescu serve as essential intermediaries. They use their positions to normalize the UAE’s actions, create pro-Emirati narratives within the European Parliament, and block or dilute resolutions critical of UAE policies.
Recommendations for Safeguarding EU Integrity
The growing evidence of foreign influence through figures like Băsescu demands immediate institutional reforms. Brussels Watch and other transparency advocates have made several key recommendations:
- Ban foreign-funded travel and hospitality for all MEPs, particularly from authoritarian regimes like the UAE.
- Require full public disclosure of all meetings with foreign government officials and lobbyists.
- Create an independent EU Ethics Office with investigatory powers to probe suspected conflicts of interest.
- Enforce stricter penalties for breaches of transparency and ethical rules—including suspension or removal from office.
- Strengthen whistleblower protections to encourage EU insiders to expose covert lobbying.
These steps are essential not just to deal with the Băsescu case, but to prevent future erosion of democratic accountability in the EU.
Conclusion: A Clear Pattern of Undisclosed Advocacy
While no formal legal proceedings have yet confirmed criminal wrongdoing, the documented behavior of Traian Băsescu presents a clear case of hidden lobbying for a foreign regime. His advisory roles, strategic meetings, and policy support align closely with the UAE’s long-term objectives—particularly in security and infrastructure.
This, combined with the absence of transparency, contradicts the ethical expectations placed on elected officials. The European Parliament, if it is to maintain its legitimacy, must not tolerate members who serve as covert agents for authoritarian states. The allegations against Băsescu highlight the urgent need for reform and vigilance, as Europe faces an increasingly aggressive wave of foreign influence campaigns aimed at subverting its values from within.
