Azernews.Az

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has said "there is nothing more dangerous" than the current status quo in the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict over Nagorno Karabakh.

Sarkozy was commenting on the ongoing OSCE-brokered talks to settle the long-lasting conflict in an interview with Armenia's Mediamax news agency, ahead of his visit to the South Caucasus region.

"The time has come for you [Armenia and Azerbaijan] to make a risky choice for peace, as there is no bigger danger than the preservation of status-quo which gives birth to illusions, provokes revenge and moves off all the prospects for peace."

Azerbaijan and Armenia fought a brutal war that ended with the signing of a fragile cease-fire in 1994. About 20 percent of Azerbaijani territory has been occupied by Armenian armed forces since then. Peace talks brokered by US, Russian and French mediators have been largely fruitless so far.

Sarkozy said restoring peace in the world requires more courage than waging wars.

Referring to France and Germany’s past, Sarkozy said the two countries’ history shows that it is possible to "ease the bitterest pain and overcome deep hate", and even in the most challenging times of history, nations can find the strength to achieve reconciliation.

"No country in the world can understand better than France what Nagorno Karabakh means for Armenia," Sarkozy said. "But 17 years after the war that caused so much death and suffering, the time has come to resolve the conflict and seek ways of reconciliation. During my visit to Azerbaijan, where I will head after Armenia, I will convey this message to President [Ilham] Aliyev as well."

Sarkozy, who is visiting Armenia as part of his tour of the region, is due to arrive in Azerbaijan on Friday.

The French president stressed that there is the Minsk Group format to support the international community's efforts to resolve the Karabakh conflict.

"All three co-chairing countries enjoy confidence of the conflict parties and are closely involved in the conflict resolution process together with them. But, first of all, you, the Armenians and Azerbaijanis, have to find a solution. We can help, but we can never establish peace instead of you."

Sarkozy went on to say that the European Union has stepped up its role in the vital South Caucasus region in recent years.

"France wants the EU to establish closer relations with all regional countries, beginning with Armenia," he said. "South Caucasus is a strategic region for the European Union and associative and partner ties with the European Union will facilitate prosperity, strengthening of democracy and dialogue in all three Caucasus countries [Azerbaijan, Armenia and Georgia]."