Britain hopes for constructive talks on Cyprus property issue

British High Commissioner to Cyprus Peter Millett said on Wednesday that the issue of properties was difficult but expressed hope that a constructive discussion, which would lead to results, would be held in the context of direct negotiations between the leaders of the two communities on the island.

Millet noted that ''today the leaders are having the first discussion on this issue and we must wait to see the results,'' adding that ''it is a difficult issue but we hope they will have a constructive discussion with results.''

He also said that ''we hope to have a solution.''

President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris Christofias and Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat have been engaged in direct negotiations since early September 2008, with a view to solve the Cyprus problem.

On Wednesday, they entered talks on property.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third.