Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias on Tuesday met with UN Secretary General’s Special Adviser on Cyprus Espen Barth Eide at the foreign ministry to discuss the latest developments on Cyprus issue.

Mr. Eide later described the discussion he had with Mr. Kotzias as constructive.

He also expressed satisfaction with the significant progress made on many issues, mentioning, though, that there were still outstanding issues that remained to be settled with some of these having international repercussions, including the chapter of security and guarantees and how the two communities on Cyprus can live together in such as way that the security of one does not create insecurity for the other.

Mr. Eide said he saw real will to find a functional solution on both sides, adding that there were ideas “outside the box” on how to create a viable federal bizonal and bicommunal state, in accordance with European values and practices for the prosperity and progress of all on Cyprus.

“The United Nations has had a peacekeeping force on Cyprus for more than half a century. And now we have a country that is a member of the European Union and remains divided. This is an anomaly that we would like to overcome,” he said.

Mr. Eide also expressed satisfaction with the close cooperation with the EU and noted that the goal was that the community acquis for both sides to be fully harmonised with all European values.

He noted that bothe leaders of the communities on the island, Cyprus President Nicos Anastasiades and Turkish-Cypriot leader Mustafa Akinci, understand that this is the moment to find a solution.

Replying to questions, the UN envoy said that a serious and creative search for ideas on the issue of guarantees was underway and it will soon be possible to be more specific about a solution for the two communities.