Netherlands readies itself for nuclear security summit

Dutch police officers and sniffer dogs trained to search for explosives patrol outside the World Forum ahead of the Nuclear Security Summit at The Hague, March 18, 2014. World leaders are expected to call next week for more action to minimize civilian use of highly-enriched nuclear fuel to help prevent al-Qaida-style militants from obtaining atomic bombs, a draft summit statement shows. [Photo/Agencies]

THE HAGUE - Around 60 world leaders, 5,000 delegates and 3,000 journalists will visit the Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) on March 24-25 in The Hague, prompting the largest security cover ever in the Netherlands.

There will be a large police presence of 13,000 officers during the summit.

In addition, 3,000 soldiers and 4,000 military police officers will be present.

Measures are taken on the roads, aviation, shipping, border control and online.

"We are trying to strike the right balance," National Coordinator for Security and Counterterrorism (NCTV), Dick Schoof, said. "Without compromising our security, we're attempting to keep any inconvenience to a minimum by taking the right measures in the right proportions."

For the first time ever, the police will set up a national traffic control center. Severe disruptions are expected in Amsterdam, The Hague and Rotterdam, with highways partly shutdown.

There will also be certain restrictions in place for Dutch airspace and territorial waters.

The use of recreational aircraft will not be permitted and the Dutch Ministry of Defense will be responsible for monitoring and securing the airspace.

In addition, the Netherlands' North Sea waters will be kept as free from traffic.