Women@EEAS - Meet Nabila Massrali, EU spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

28.05.2021

"Believe in yourself, in your instinct. Believe in who you are, never doubt yourself just because you are a woman. I have followed closely the negotiations leading to the Iran Nuclear deal in 2015 and was always amazed watching our EU 'women' diplomats negotiating. They were meticulous, professional, persistent, resilient negotiators and inspiring diplomats."

Nabila Massrali, EU spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

 

Describe your role and what you like about it.

My name is Nabila Massrali, I’m the EU spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. In other words, I am one of the two spokespersons of the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell. My job is to defend EU foreign policies and this is actually what I like about it. It is to be able to voice EU policies around the world, in which I firmly believe.

 

What has been your greatest achievement?

It’s still not an achievement but it is an issue close to my heart: Working with, supporting and defending independent media around the world at a time when the space for independent and real journalism is narrowing. We see everyday newspapers being closed, online media blocked, journalists arrested or harassed and I have been working and will continue to work with them and support them. My aim is to help them survive sometimes in a very difficult context.

BUT my most beautiful achievement remains my daughter :-)

 

"My most beautiful achievement remains my daughter"

 

What is your greatest strength?

Crisis management. I think I can stay cool and be efficient in stressful situations which is much needed in my job.

 

What have been the biggest challenges that you have faced in your career? Were there any special challenges you encountered because you are a woman?

I can’t think of specific challenges related to the fact that I am a woman, I think I have been very lucky to work in an environment where women are respected and get their authority from merit.

 

"I have been very lucky to work in an environment where women are respected and get their authority from merit."

 

But every day comes with its share of challenges, meaning, doing my job well is not a given and every morning I wake up with a new challenge.

 

What advice would you give to other/young women who want to pursue a career in diplomacy?

Believe in yourself, in your instinct. Believe in who you are, never doubt yourself just because you are a woman. I have followed closely the negotiations leading to the Iran Nuclear deal in 2015 and was always amazed watching our EU 'women' diplomats negotiating. They were meticulous, professional, persistent, resilient negotiators and inspiring diplomats.

 

What needs to change in the next 5 to 10 years?

We need more women in diplomacy and freedom for journalists including of course all women journalists.

 

"We need more women in diplomacy and freedom for journalists including of course all women journalists."

 

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