Last week, the Turkmen capital hosted a regular meeting of the Turkmen–Austrian Joint Commission, which focused on identifying new areas to expand the productive cooperation between Turkmenistan and the Republic of Austria. Having positively appraised the outcomes of the work done on practical realization of the agreements reached earlier, members of the Commission discussed the issues concerning the intensification of interaction in the spheres of energy production and ecology, the textile and food industries, agriculture and construction. In the course of the meeting, a detailed exchange of opinions was held on the prospects opening up in the context of mutually beneficial financial and technical partnership, cooperation in health care and pharmaceutics. As stressed, implementation of joint projects in the areas will have practical significance for both sides. Private business activity was outlined among important aspects of the bilateral cooperation. In this connection, the parties have stressed the importance of the upcoming Turkmen-Austrian Business Forum to be held to specify definite steps for the expansion of cooperation in this sector. The meeting participants have also expressed their willingness to develop fruitful contacts in the tourism industry given great significance attached to the sector in both countries. Stressing that the cultural relations are an important component of the interstate dialogue, members of the Commission have spoken for strengthening the humanitarian relations. In this context, consideration was given to possibilities of organizing creative forums and other events. The meeting attendees also discussed the issues of advancing the partnership between leading research centers and educational institutions.