Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu said on Thursday that the Czech Republic was Israel’s best friend in Europe.

Speaking at a joint press conference in Prague with Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas, Netanyahu said, “I believe that Israel has no better friend in Europe than the Czech Republic.”

Netanyahu added, “I think it’s because there’s no place in Europe where Israel’s challenges are better understood. The Czech people understand what it’s like to be a beleaguered democracy in a hostile region.

“The Czech people value freedom and enterprise and science and initiative and this creates an immediate bonding between us,” he said. “And the Czech people can appreciate, as few nations can, why only a secure Israel can achieve peace.”

Netanyahu led a delegate of six ministers to the Czech Republic and during the meetings, deals between the two countries were signed on diplomatic, security, commercial and tourist cooperation.

Necas said during the press conference, according to a report in AFP, “We absolutely reject the delegitimization and any boycott of the state of Israel. We unequivocally support Israel’s right to defend itself against terror attacks… (and) share concerns about Iran’s nuclear program.”