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The Hague, June 25, 2025 – The recent NATO summit held in The Hague, Netherlands, has been dubbed the most expensive in the alliance’s history, costing a staggering BDT 2,145.78 crore (approximately €195 million) for a mere 2-hour-and-30-minute meeting. According to reports published in The Times and Netherlands Times on Wednesday, this translates to an astonishing expenditure of BDT 14.27 crore per minute.
The summit, which focused on critical global issues such as the Iran-Israel conflict, the Ukraine war, Russia’s threats, and plans to increase defense budgets among NATO member states, was secured with unprecedented measures. Approximately 27,000 police personnel and 10,000 military members were deployed to ensure the safety of the event, with The Hague enveloped in a “security blanket.”
However, the exorbitant cost of the 150-minute summit has triggered widespread criticism across Europe. Local media highlighted public discontent, with many questioning the necessity of such lavish spending for a brief discussion. Dutch parliamentarians have also raised concerns, suggesting that the funds could have been better allocated to critical sectors like healthcare and education.
Social media platforms have been abuzz with reactions, with users expressing frustration over the lack of transparency regarding the outcomes of the discussions. One user commented, “Spending billions for a 2.5-hour meeting, yet we have no clarity on what was achieved.”
NATO organizers, however, defended the expenditure, stating that the summit was a critical response to current global security challenges. “This was a necessity of the times. Demonstrating NATO’s unity and commitment in the face of global threats is vital,” an official statement read. The alliance emphasized that the costs were an investment in defense, not a waste, particularly in light of growing aggression from Iran and Russia.
The summit’s high costs and short duration continue to fuel debates, with calls for greater accountability and transparency in future NATO events.
AI/MR
