The European Union fully backs Iraqs efforts to de-escalate growing tensions between the United States and Iran by holding a regional conference, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Saturday. Speaking at a news conference with Iraqi Foreign Minister Mohammed al-Hakim on her first visit to Baghdad since 2014, Mogherini said the bloc appreciated and supported Iraqs policy of pursuing good relations with all its neighbors and warned against "dangerous adventures" in the region. "The minister and I talked at length about the increasing tensions around Iraq and the need first and foremost to avoid escalation, avoid any miscalculation, that could lead to very dangerous consequences; first and foremost for Iraq but also beyond that," she said. The region is not prepared for a new war, said Hakim. “We are still fighting terrorism. It is an unfinished war.” He said he affirmed to Mogherini that Iraq should not become a battleground for the tension between the US and Iran, “but rather it should play a role in helping solve this crisis alongside other Arab countries.” He added that a conflict would also complicate counter-terrorism efforts. The EU supports Iraqs proposal to hold a regional conference between Iran and US-allied countries, said Mogherini, who also met Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi and President Barham Salih during her trip. "The European experience is that even in the most difficult times it is always better to sit and talk rather than to explore avenues of the unknown that can be dangerous for everybody," she said. Iraqi Foreign Ministry spokesman Ahmed al-Sahaf said the idea of a regional conference is being developed but the issue was raised with foreign delegations that visited Iraq.