​(Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser)
 
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today (Thursday, 16 June 2016), met with the American team to the strategic dialogue between the US and Israel led by Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
 
Prime Minister Netanyahu:
 
"We have a growing friendship and I look forward to the opportunity to discussing concrete ways to make it even stronger.
 
US Deputy Secretary of State Blinken:
 
"Thank you very much for the invitation. Thank you very much for the hospitality. We have a chance today to discuss the situation in our regions, in your region and in my region. Both our countries face difficult problems, conflicts and [unclear] conflicts around. But at the beginning, let me convey to you condolences because again there was a terrorist attack in Tel Aviv so please accept my condolences and please let me convey the condolences to the victims of the attack."
 
Prime Minister Netanyahu:
 
"I think this is a worldwide problem, obviously, of rampant barbarism that attacks all our societies, and I think the civilized nations must band together. I said this yesterday at the meeting with the NATO ambassadors and I say it again to you. And I also say that we should not only cooperate on matters of fighting terror but cooperate in other matters of technology, of trade. You have a robust economy, we have a robust economy and I think the more we cooperate the better will be for both our peoples.
 
US Deputy Secretary of State Blinken:
 
"You're absolutely right. There is a great opportunity, great chance to develop the bilateral relationship and you know that Israel technology can help us improve our situation, economic situation and to develop our country further."
 
Prime Minister Netanyahu:
 
"I look forward to it."