Joost Reintjes

Dutch ambassador in Stockholm

Joost Reintjes has been ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Sweden since 2024.

After postings in Central Asia, the Middle East, Africa and other parts of Europe, ambassador Joost Reintjes has now landed in Stockholm, as the new Dutch ambassador to Sweden.
Sweden and the Netherlands are close partners in the EU and the UN. With Sweden’s recent accession to NATO, our countries are now also allies, and Joost Reintjes is eager to strengthen these bonds further.

First encounters

What is your personal experience with Sweden? 
My first encounter with Swedes was quite unique! At 19, while hitchhiking from Algiers, Algeria, to Lomé in Togo, I got a lift from seven Swedish students from Lund traveling in a large bus across the Sahara in 1981. Though it didn’t happen in Sweden, it was my first interaction with Swedes. 
Years later, in 2002, I bought a Volvo in Gothenburg. My first official visit to Sweden lasted only 24 hours, as I drove from Gothenburg to Lund and then back to the Netherlands. But it was 24 hours I won’t forget.

What’s something about the Netherlands that you think Swedes would find surprising?
I believe one can say that the image of Sweden in the Netherlands is very positive. Our King Willem-Alexander during his state visit to Sweden in 2022 stated that some people refer to the Netherlands as the southernmost Nordic country. And I like to take that as a compliment, and as something that will not surprise Swedes too much.

 "Some people refer to the Netherlands as the southernmost Nordic country, and I like to take that as a compliment."

Country of engineers

What makes becoming the ambassador to Sweden so exciting?
I’ve worked in many places, gaining general diplomatic experience, and experience working with companies. What excites me most about Sweden is the trade between our two nations—we rank among each other’s top 10 trading partners, and we both have high volumes of imports and exports. 
I also like the working mentality of the Swedes. Sweden is a country of engineers and innovators, home to many international companies — high standing and high level. That is very interesting to us and offers great potential for collaboration. And from what I hear, Dutch and Swedes are a good match.

Beyond diplomacy, I look forward to experiencing Sweden’s nature. It is a big and beautiful country with all these woods, forests and lakes. I really look forward to skiing, and even to the long and dark winters. 

If you could describe your diplomatic mission in Sweden in one Swedish word, what would it be and why?
“No-nonsense”. I believe in a straightforward and practical approach—no unnecessary complications or formalities. It’s about being informal, efficient, honest and focused on making progress without any pretentiousness.

Another word would be “Europe”. There are many shared challenges that we can tackle together and where we can support each other, such as supporting Ukraine and improving EU competitiveness.