States in the Gulf region need to extend diplomatic and economic relations with Iraq as the country moves along the road to recovery, Sultan Sooud Al Qassemi has pleaded.

Writing for the Guardian's Comment is Free, Al Qassemi, a non-resident fellow at the Dubai School of Government and a regular contributor to the National newspaper in the UAE, urged for state actors to welcome Iraq closer to the Gulf Cooperation Council.

He added that while the UAE had already made diplomatic inroads, the region had a long way to go establishing strong cooperative links with Iraq.

Sharing technical expertise through training and development programmes may be one way to promote economic strength in Iraq as the country looks to bring its vast oil fields out of a state of dilapidation.

Although Iraq has the third largest oil reserves, years of sanctions and underinvestment during the reign of Saddam Hussein have left much of the country's oil infrastructure in need of upgrading and repair.

Global Education and Training Event for Oil and Gas: Getenergy for Iraq