ERBIL — The European Union supports Iraq in its efforts to hold a peace conference in hopes of de-escalating the tensions in the Gulf region, said EU Foreign Policy Chief Federica Mogherini on Saturday.

Mogherini visited Baghdad on Saturday where she met with Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed Ali al-Hakim and discussed the increasing tensions in the region and the urgent need to find dialogue-based de-escalation opportunities.

“This is why we support completely the idea of a regional conference that Iraq is proposing. The European Union is fully behind that, fully ready to support this idea in all ways that could be useful,” the EU foreign chief said during a press conference.

“We have always invested in regional cooperation, and we believe - it is our experience - that it is even more important especially where there are problems. It is even more needed to talk when there are problems.”

Tensions have been on the rise in the Gulf between Iran and the United States since Washington abandoned the 2015’s Nuclear Deal and reimposed crippling sanctions.

In reaction to the measures, Iran shot down a US military drone last month, claiming it had crossed into Iranian airspace, while the US rejected breaching the Iranian borders.

Iraq, which is under a huge hegemony both from Iran and the US, has been attempting to avoid being part of the tensions while it now works to play a role in the de-escalation of the brawl.

Bas News