French President Nicolas Sarkozy Thursday acknowledged his country's mistakes in the 1994 genocide in Rwanda during his landmark visit to African nation.

Calling the tragic event "unacceptable," Sarkozy urged the international community, including France, to reflect on "the errors that prevented it from foreseeing and stopping this horrible crime."

At a joint news conference with Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Sarkozy said there had been "serious errors of judgment" and that France and other countries had evaded their collective responsibility by turning a blind eye to the genocide.

"We want those responsible for the genocide to be found and punished," he added.

Kagame said it was important for France and Rwanda to mend bilateral ties even though the two countries have had a difficult past.

"We refuse to be hostages of the past," he said.

Kagame also announced that he will attend the France-Africa summit in southern French city Nice in May at Sarkozy's invitation.

Sarkozy's visit was the first by a French president in 25 years. Relations between Kigali and Paris have been strained for years as Rwanda accused France of playing a role in the 1994 genocide, in which some 800,000 people, mainly minority Tutsis and moderate Hutus, were slaughtered.

The tension culminated in the severance of diplomatic ties three years ago, after a French judge issued an indictment saying Kagame's entourage were involved in the assassination of former Rwandan President Juvenal Habyarimana. Diplomatic ties were resumed late last year.