Preparations for the NATO summit are underway in the Netherlands, which will take place on June 24 and 25 in Hague. A country that will host this event for the first time is a logistic and financial challenge. The cost has already exceeded EUR 183 million, which makes this peak the most expensive meeting in NATO history.
According to estimates, the actual cost of one minute of NATO leaders will be one million euros. Initially, the summit budget was EUR 95 million, but it was almost doubled due to the growing expenses related to security and logistics. The greatest financial burden was the protection of the heads of states and transport in the territory of the country. The event will be attended by 45 state leaders, 90 ministers and about 8,000 delegates and journalists.
The preparations covered a wide range of activities – from the introduction of special legal regulations to physical changes in the landscape. In Noordwij (approx. 25 km north of Hagi), where US President Donald Trump is to stop at the Huis Ter Duin hotel, gondolas were removed from a nearby devil's mill, considered a potential threat to security. This operation cost entrepreneurs tens of thousands of euros.
27,000 were involved in security activities. officers (half of the state of the local police) and 5,000 gendarmes as part of the “Orange Shield” operation. The goal is to secure the event against cyber attacks, sabotage, espionage and disinformation. The operation is supported by intelligence services, aviation using F-35 fighters, navy frigates and landing services on land. Particular emphasis was placed on digital security, and the services warn against the possible spread of false information, as it was during the previous NATO peaks in the USA and Lithuania.
An extraordinary ordinance is in force in Hague from June 19 to 26, and access to districts around the World Forum Congress Center is limited. Residents must take into account identity controls and frequent helicopter flights. Fragments of the main routes were also closed: N44 and A44, which led to significant difficulties in traffic in the provinces of the South Netherlands and Utrecht. Public institutions also feel the influence of the summit. Express identity documents issuing procedures have been delayed in the Kapelle commune. Local offices warned the residents to submit applications for passports early.
The NATO peak will take place in the shade of increased security measures. In recent days, the Dutch services have arrested eight people associated with the movement of “sovereign citizens”, suspected of planning acts of violence in connection with the meeting of the Alliance. The prosecutor's office accuses them of calling for terrorism and belonging to an extremist organization. One of the arrested is Marieke V., founder of Trots OP de Boer (proud of the farmer) and financially supporting farmers' protests in the country.
The authorities are also preparing for possible demonstrations. Despite numerous restrictions, social and peace organizations announce legal protests during the summit. Local authorities call for peace and compliance with the regulations.
According to the head of the Provisional Government Dick Schoof, who talked to the US President Donald Trump by phone, the presence of an American import at NATO's top is crucial for the unity of the alliance. Trump announced its participation, provided that Member States increase defense expenses to 5 percent. GDP. Although NATO is formally considering raising this standard to 3.5 percent, the postulates of the US president have already caused a debate among European leaders.
Despite the doubts raised by the scale of the event, the government emphasizes that the organization of the summit is not only a challenge but also an honor. “This is the largest logistics operation in the country since World War II,” emphasized one of the officials involved. Although many activities related to the organization of the summit are controversial, the Dutch government assured that it is trying to minimize the nuisance for citizens. “Not everything is constantly closed” – the Haga municipality is said, adding that rumors about the need to have special passes to enter the security zone are exaggerated. Residents can move around the city, but they must be prepared for document checks and unannounced changes in the availability of public spaces.
However, many citizens express frustration. “We get a different information every day – once they say that the park is open, in a moment, but closed,” says one of the residents of the Statenkwartier district. Others add that the city is beginning to resemble a fortress. At the same time, they notice that this scale of security may be justified due to the rank of the event and the presence of leaders of the largest countries in the world.
The organizers ensure that all funds are proportional to the threat. Thousands of police officers, army, special services and international VIP protection units are involved in security activities. Some defense systems were also distributed outside Haga – including in the areas of Noordwijk and Schiphol airport.
Experts remind you that the Netherlands undertook to organize the summit as early as 2022, and the preparations lasted over two years. “This is a state of state's ability to manage at the highest level,” says one of the former officials of the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the summit in the spotlight, defense issues and the current geopolitical situation will be found. Talks regarding the war in Ukraine, the relations of the alliance with China and the increase in NATO's resistance to cyber thread have been planned.
For many residents of Hagi and the Randstad region, the coming days will mean significant disruptions of everyday life. Local authorities, however, call for patience and understanding. “This is an event of great importance for the position of the Netherlands on the international arena,” emphasized the spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Although questions about the legitimacy of expenses at the level of EUR 183 million are back in the media and parliament, the government is counting that image and strategic profits will compensate for the expenditure. As noted by the Amsterdam daily Het Parool, “this is not only the most expensive meeting in NATO's history, but also the largest test for the Dutch administration in decades.”
From Hagi Patryk Kulpok (PAP)
PMK/ AKL/
