The ambassador - Germany
The ambassador
Hester Somsen
See the curriculum vitae of ambassador Somsen on our main country website (in German).
Hester Somsen’s career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has taken her to every corner of the world: from Beirut to Budapest. Now, as the Dutch ambassador in Berlin, she is committed to further strengthening cooperation between the Netherlands and Germany.
What first struck you when you were appointed ambassador to Germany?
‘When it was announced that I was to be the new ambassador in Berlin, people soon asked me whether I was looking forward to working in a country that was so similar to the Netherlands. From a distance, Germany seems very like the Netherlands. But when you get here, you discover that they’re really two very different countries.
For example, the Netherlands is a real trading nation, and you see that in our mentality. We tend to start on something as soon as we’ve decided on the end goal. We work out the details on the way. That’s really different in an engineering nation like Germany. Here, it’s much more important to set out the entire process and all the details before you start. Fortunately, that’s no obstacle to cooperation: German Gründlichkeit and the Dutch entrepreneurial spirit form an excellent combination. The Dutch and the Germans generally share the same values, and there’s little difference in their outlook on the world. That forms a basis for close cooperation. The first German-Netherlands Army Corps is a good example of how well this works. Set up 30 years ago and made up of both Dutch and German troops, it’s also a clear illustration of the trust we place in each other.
The fact that Germany is the Netherlands’ main trading partner shows how much we depend on each other. And the Netherlands is Germany’s third most important trading partner worldwide, after the USA and China. In Europe, we’re top of the list, before France, Spain and Poland. People in Germany aren’t always aware of this. Our industries are closely interlinked. The Netherlands supplies parts for many German businesses, including in the automobile industry. And the Port of Rotterdam is an important gateway to the German economy.’
What are your main tasks as ambassador to Germany?
‘My main task as ambassador is to further strengthen the ties between the Netherlands and Germany. To do this, you need to take a customised approach in each of the German regions. People in North Rhine-Westphalia or Lower Saxony are often familiar with the Netherlands. They have been on holiday or school trips here, or may even have studied here. They already feel a certain affinity with the Netherlands, and are therefore interested in working with us.
In the regions further away from the Netherlands we need to make more of an effort. Their main focus is on other countries that are closer to their own borders, like Switzerland, Austria, Denmark or Poland. Saxony, in the east of the country, has a significant semiconductor industry. The Netherlands – home to companies like ASML – could play a major a role there. I try to see where there are opportunities and how we can bring businesses together. And, fortunately, with an embassy in Berlin, two consulates-general – in Düsseldorf and Munich – and three Netherlands Business Support Offices, there’s always someone nearby who can help me.’
‘We also hope to generate more interest in these regions through our honorary consuls. They help open doors for Dutch people wanting to do business in Germany. But they also serve as a link for Germans wanting to know more about the Netherlands. This is how we try to create opportunities for cooperation in the regions further away from the Netherlands, for instance with our new honorary consul in Leipzig.’
What are the most important areas for cooperation between the Netherlands and Germany?
‘I can’t really say that some are important and others are not – because the Netherlands works closely with Germany in many areas that impact on people’s daily lives. Politics, the economy, security, research, culture – you name it, we’ve set up partnerships in that field. And we’re always on the lookout for new opportunities.
Many of Germany’s goals are important to us too – in relation to competitiveness, for instance. The Draghi report, published in 2024, sent the important message that if the EU wants to compete with the US or China, more will need to be invested in the European economy. The message also got through to Germany, and it’s now working hard to improve its competitiveness.
Germany is spending billions on its infrastructure, for instance. That presents opportunities for Dutch businesses and it’s essential for the defence of NATO territory. Here again, you can see how a topic like good motorways affects us directly and in many different ways.
We also work closely with Germany in supporting Ukraine. Germany is the largest donor of military support after the US, and the Netherlands also ranks among the top 5 countries for committed military support. Together with Germany we supply Leopard tanks, howitzers and Patriot air defence systems. German and Dutch troops also train their Ukrainian allies together, and prepare them for their fight for freedom.’
You started your career at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1997. What inspired you then, and why did you want to become ambassador to Germany?
‘I grew up in Vaassen, a small village not far from Apeldoorn. I have my parents to thank for my awareness that there was a much bigger world beyond our village. I helped out in the fair trade shop, and took part in Amnesty International letter-writing campaigns. As part of my university course in Amsterdam, I did an internship at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I was impressed by Dutch diplomats’ creativity. They didn’t just pursue the Netherlands’ interests, but sought solutions that would benefit everyone. That’s when I knew that this was the organisation I wanted to work for.
It’s a great pleasure to be able to work in Germany for the Netherlands, for Europe and for the world. Because Germany is a major partner, of course, but also because of my love of the German language. When I was young, we could pick up Dutch and German channels on TV. Together with my grandmother, we’d spend hours watching Czech fairy tales on German TV. Later we’d watch Miami Vice, dubbed into German, and Formel Eins, a pop music programme that showed the latest music videos. That worked wonders for my German.’