"Even if we speak of other neighbouring countries -- the dramatic conflict in Syria, Lebanon, Egypt -- the fact remains that the Israeli-Palestinian issue is one of the issues, perhaps the central one, for the region," he said in the West Bank city of Ramallah, after meeting Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.
"In a particularly troubled regional environment, it is even more important that we advance towards peace here," Fabius said.
"If these negotiations are successful, it will be a thunderbolt for peace...A great stabilising element."
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators formally resumed direct peace talks earlier this month after a hiatus of nearly three years, thanks to an intense bout of shuttle diplomacy by US Secretary of State John Kerry.
They are expected to last about nine months.
Fabius arrived today on a visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories aimed at encouraging the sides.
Speaking at a joint press conference with Fabius, Abbas said that his team entered the talks, about which no details have been revealed, in good faith.
"We hope that it is the same on the Israeli side, we want to create the proper climate for stopping settlement, which is illegal to us and to the world."
The talks have been overshadowed by Israeli plans to build more than 2,000 new homes for Jewish settlers on occupied Palestinian territory.
Fabius will meet in Jerusalem tomorrow with President Shimon Peres, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Justice Minister Tzipi Livni, Israel's lead negotiator in the talks.
"We do not have high expectations of the negotiations so far because we know in advance the official position of the Israeli government," foreign minister Riyad al-Malki said on visit to Quito, Ecuador.