Iran-EU talks ‘very important’: Griffiths

Former UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths has expressed hope that the planned meeting between Iran’s foreign minister and European counterparts, scheduled for Friday in Geneva, will “shine a light on possible alternatives to war,” Al Jazeera reports.

Griffiths described the meeting as “well-timed” and significant “not because they’re going to solve the problem,” but because it offers Iran a discreet channel to convey its expectations and any concessions it may be prepared to offer, according to the Doha-based broadcaster.

“A diplomatic solution as evinced by those talks tomorrow could be very, very important,” Griffiths was quoted as saying. “A diplomatic deal is always more messy, less efficient in some ways, but it’s safer.”