​ (Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
 
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, this afternoon (Thursday, 30 March 2017), in Jerusalem, met with Slovak President Andrej Kiska. The Prime Minister welcomed him to Israel and said, "You’re a friend and I hope that our visit enhances our friendship and our cooperation in a changing world where we have so many common values, so many common interests. And we also have opportunities, not only challenges, so I look forward to discussing both of them with you, and it’s a pleasure to welcome you here."

Slovak President Kiska replied that he was, "very glad that after 17 years again the Slovak president is here in this country because we are not only partners, but we are friends. And that is very important. And we know that nowadays, the world is difficult and friends to have to stay together."

 At the start of his meeting with President Kiska, PM Netanyahu made the following remarks:
 
Regarding a new community for the Amona evacuees:
 
"I promised at the outset that we would build a new community. I believe that I first gave that promise back in December and we will uphold it today. In a few hours you will know all the details."
 
In response to a question as to whether the crisis with [Finance Minister Moshe] Kahlon has been resolved:
 
"I believe so."
 
In response to a question about the Foreign Ministry funds:
 
"I am not prepared to pay for and finance the attacks against us at the UN. We are changing the rules. There are venomous attacks against us there and, therefore, I have already directed that $ 6-7 million be cut from our UN dues. After the vote in the UN Human Rights Council, I decided to cut another $2 million. This considerable sum, almost NIS 40 million, will be transferred to the Foreign Ministry, which is doing exceptional work. They will use it to develop our relations with countries that want to be close to Israel and are cultivating friendship with it."