TEHRAN The new French Head of the Minsk Group of the Vienna-based Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), Filippe de Suremain, met on Monday with the Foreign Ministry's director general of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Department.

Suremain, the former French ambassador to Tehran, invited the Iranian officials to exchange views with the Minsk Group, which was formed in 1992.

A new round of direct talks between the presidents of Azerbaijan and Armenia aimed at settling the Karabakh dispute was held in Key West, Florida, April 3-6.

Briefing the Iranian officials on the Key West talks, Suremain stressed the role of the Islamic Republic of Iran in preserving security and stability in the Caucasus region.

In the meeting, the Iranian and French sides reviewed the latest developments in the region, including the current attempts to solve the Karabakh crisis and the promotion of Iran's cooperation with the Minsk Group.

The Iranian official referred to Iran's stance on the maintenance of security and lasting stability in the Caucasus and underlined the need for a speedy and peaceful settlement of the crisis.

The Karabakh conflict, which broke out in 1988, left 35,000 people dead after six years of fighting between Azerbaijan and Armenia.

A cease-fire was reached in 1994. France is mediating between the two countries as part of a process organized by the Minsk Group.

Both Armenia and Azerbaijan have welcomed Iran's mediation.