Turkish President considers Karabakh issue the biggest problem in the Caucasus

Abdullah Gul has expressed his optimism that many problems will be solved in 2009 if all sides make greater efforts to do so.

Since the August 2008 Russian aggression against Georgia Turkey has become more active in regional peace initiatives and has devised the Caucasus Peace and Security Platform. It has presented itself as one of the leading forces for maintaining peace in the region alongside Russia.

Recently Turkey has made serious efforts to establishing normal neighbourly relations with Armenia. However Azerbaijan is not happy about some of its moves, saying that unless the Karabakh issue is resolved objectively there is little chance to establish a long lasting peace in the region.