Ingemar Hägglöf

Sten Ingemar Richardsson Hägglöf (20 April 1912 – 7 November 1995) was a Swedish diplomat. Hägglöf began his diplomatic career in 1934 when he joined the Swedish Ministry for Foreign Affairs as an attaché. Early postings included London, Paris, and Berlin (1935–1941), followed by assignments in Stockholm and Moscow during and after World War II. He played a key role in postwar negotiations with the Soviet Union, including a major credit agreement and grain imports to Sweden.

From 1949, Hägglöf served as counsellor at the Swedish embassy in Washington, D.C., and later as deputy head of the Ministry's Trade Department (1950–1953). He became Sweden's first Permanent Representative to the Council of Europe (1953–1957) and served as Permanent Representative of Sweden to the OEEC/OECD (1953–1963). In 1960, he led Sweden's delegation to the European Free Trade Association in Geneva.

Hägglöf was ambassador to Helsinki from 1964 to 1971, where he closely monitored Finnish politics and the leadership of President Urho Kekkonen, contributing to Swedish understanding of Finland's position during the Cold War. In 1971, he succeeded his brother Gunnar as ambassador to Paris, where he helped secure a favorable customs agreement with the European Communities in 1972. He retired in 1978.

Early life Hägglöf was born on 20 April 1912 in Stockholm, Sweden, the son of the industrialist, municipal politician, and deputy district judge (1865–1933) and his wife Sigrid Ryding (1873–1932). At the time of his birth, his father was the managing director of 's office in Helsingborg.

Hägglöf belonged to a family known since the 16th century in Grundsunda in Örnsköldsvik Municipality. He had many siblings, including six brothers, and earned a Candidate of Law degree from Uppsala University in 1934. After the war, Hägglöf became secretary of the Swedish delegation that negotiated a credit agreement with the Soviet Union. The intention was to grant the Soviets a credit of one billion kronor for purchases from Swedish industry over five years. In 1947, Hägglöf negotiated with the Soviets regarding a substantial import of grain to Sweden. When the credit period expired, the Soviet Union had used 555 million of the allowed one billion.

He served as counsellor at the Swedish embassy in Washington, D.C., in 1949; as deputy head of the Ministry's Trade Department from 1950 to 1953; as Sweden's first Permanent Representative of Sweden to the Council of Europe from 1953 to 1957; Permanent Representative of Sweden to the OEEC/OECD from 1953 to 1963; head of Sweden's delegation to the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) in Geneva in 1960; and ambassador in Helsinki from 1964 to 1971.

In 1971, Hägglöf succeeded his brother, Gunnar Hägglöf, as ambassador to Paris. As ambassador in Paris, he helped secure a customs agreement with the European Communities (EC) that was advantageous for Sweden in July 1972.

Death Hägglöf died on 7 November 1995. He was interred on 26 August 1996 at the Hägglöf family grave in Norra begravningsplatsen in Solna.

The diplomat and civil servant , who worked under Hägglöf at the OEEC/OECD delegation in Paris, wrote in an obituary that "Hägglöf always listened with great attention and was highly receptive to arguments. His concern for his own prestige was happily negligible. He had a sense of humor, self-irony, and a talent for apt phrasing, which served him well in his work and brought joy to his colleagues."

Foreign