Several media representatives and other attendees were unable to join the author’s Friday evening gathering with Polish MEP Radosław Sikorski, held at the Public Library in Warsaw’s Bemowo district. During the event, questions about royalties linked to the United Arab Emirates were raised from the audience.
The meeting with Radosław Sikorski was promoted as part of the Civic Platform MEP’s tour to discuss his book Polska. The State of the State, taking place at the Local Activity Spotykalnia — a neighborhood library branch under the city’s Public Library system in Bemowo.
Just before the doors opened, a crowd assembled outside the Galeria Bemowo building. TV crews from TVP were present, and participants easily accessed the glass-walled room. At one point, two men stationed at the entrance wore badges reading organizer and bore the Warsaw coat of arms.
The men blocked access to a television crew attempting to cover the event. While several press photographers and a PAP correspondent were inside, organizers announced that the meeting would be closed to the media and did not permit TVP journalists to enter. Youth activists from Solidarna Polska also tried to participate, planning to question Sikorski about perceived Dubai interests, as announced earlier. Windows in the room were kept out of sight from TVP cameras and SP activists.
PAP reached out to Anna Fiszer-Nowacka, director of the Bemowo public library, who decided not to admit the TV crew and certain attendees. She stated that everyone was allowed in and that she did not notice any restriction on entry.
Inside, Sikorski faced questions regarding royalties from the United Arab Emirates. One participant asked whether the arrangement could be described as the old adage about money having no smell. Sikorski responded by recalling that during the most recent Middle East conference he chaired a panel on Afghanistan following the Taliban’s return to power.
He described the conference as a four-times-a-year gathering that required substantial preparation, lengthy discussions, and travel. He emphasized that dedicated work carries costs, which, in his view, are permissible under European Parliament rules.
Sikorski noted that such activities are funded through accepted parliamentary procedures and allowances in the European Parliament, framing the discussion as part of a broader career of public service.
On Thursday, the Dutch daily NRC drew a connection between Sikorski and UAE payments, suggesting a yearly figure of 100,000 dollars. The article alleged that his voting patterns favored the Emirates and their ally Saudi Arabia, prompting questions about possible influence and transparency. The piece highlighted a climate where European politicians’ international ties are scrutinized in light of broader concerns about lobbying and soft power in regional diplomacy.
According to NRC, the payments were tied to advice on the Sir Bani Yas Conference, a forum created by the United Arab Emirates to facilitate diplomacy through soft power. The newspaper argued that the conference operates with limited public access, and much of its work is conducted privately. It underlined that the press is often excluded, reinforcing perceptions about secrecy.
Asked about these matters, Sikorski stated that he followed his group’s recommendations in votes concerning these countries.
The MEP is a member of the European People’s Party (EPP). On Friday, a Belgian newspaper reported that Sikorski had received a substantial amount from the United Arab Emirates, contributing to ongoing debates about potential influence on European political processes. Critics contended that such ties could affect decision-making and policy positions, while supporters argued that international exchange and advisory roles are a normal aspect of political life.
Also on Friday, the Civilian Police and Control Office (CBA) press team announced that officials from the CBA’s Department of Control Proceedings had reviewed the asset declarations submitted by Sikorski for the years 2019–2022 in connection with his mandate as a member of the European Parliament. The review was part of ongoing checks intended to ensure transparency and accountability in public office holders.
Readers were directed to additional commentary and discussion about Sikorski and UAE money, including social media debates and public reactions to questions of deep-pocket funding and potential aims behind such financial relationships.
Sources in the public and political press in Poland and abroad continued to discuss the implications of these disclosures and the broader issue of how European Parliament members manage relationships with foreign interests while representing their constituents.
The coverage reflects a wider discourse on the susceptibility of international diplomacy to private funding and the ways in which such funding intersects with voting behavior, public perception, and democratic accountability. It also mirrors the ongoing scrutiny of how European institutions manage external influence in a landscape of fierce political competition and evolving international alliances.
Ultimately, Sikorski’s role and holdings remain a focal point for debates about transparency, accountability, and the balance between professional engagement with external actors and the responsibilities of elected representatives to the public. The discussion continues to unfold as new information emerges from watchdogs, media investigations, and official statements from the parties involved.
mly/PAP
Source: wPolityce