France assumes the six-month rotating presidency of the EU Council since January 1.

Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid held  a long conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron  on Satuardy evening. “The conversation dealt with regional challenges, the nuclear talks and Israel’s demand to put pressure on Iran,” the Israeli foreign ministry ministry said in a statement.

The two also discussed relations between Israel and the European Union, with Lapid congratulating President Macron on France’s assumption of the presidency of the Council of the European Union, the statement said. Lapid stressed the importance of strengthening ties between Israel and the E.U.

France assumes the six-month rotating presidency of the EU Council since January 1.

The conversation was held six weeks after Macron and Lapid met in Paris. The Israeli Foreign Minister insisted during the meeting that only a credible military threat would stop Iran from continuing its race to a nuclear weapon.

The latest round of talks between the world powers and Iran resumed last week in Vienna following a three-week break for the holidays after the talks restarted in November.

Macron reportedly said he remains committed to Israel’s security and places importance on the relationship between the two countries.