The 9th meeting of the Joint Turkmen-Austrian Commission was held, which was attended by the leaders of several ministries and agencies, the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan, the delegation of high-ranking representatives of state institutions and business circles of the Republic of Austria headed by Director General for Foreign Economic Relations of the Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy Franz Wessig. The meeting participants considered the state of trade and economic relations between the two countries, analyzed the results of work carried out in accordance with the commission’s recommendations, record in the minutes of its previous meeting in Vienna in September 2016. During the meeting the possibilities for development of interstate relations in various fields of economy, investments, high technologies, as well as for increasing trade turnover between Turkmenistan and Austria were analyzed. Pointing out the existence of potential for cooperation, the commission members came to a conclusion that it is necessary to find new forms of partnership, discussed proposals placed on the meeting agenda related to developing direct contacts between the business communities of the two countries. In particular, the opportunity of a representative office of the Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs of Turkmenistan that was opened in Vienna in June 2017 was highlighted. In this context, the point in question was attracting the experience and technology of Austrian companies for founding industrial and service enterprises in our country, promoting Turkmenistan’s products on the markets of Austria and other countries of the European Union. Particular importance in this process is attached to the exchange of delegations, organization of working visits, training courses and study trips. The Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Turkmenistan, the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, the Trade Mission of the Austrian Embassy in Ashgabat, which directly assist representatives of business circles of the two countries, have a significant role to play in development of fruitful relations. All this clearly shows the stable interest in long-term partnership, participation in the implementation of joint projects for the construction of production facilities in Turkmenistan, the supplies of equipment for the production of foodstuffs and other commodities. The commission identified among the priorities of partnership such areas as energy, transport, logistics, construction, infrastructure, healthcare, tourism, education, information technologies and processing of agricultural products. The utmost attention was given to environmental technologies in public utilities. Renewable energy sources and energy efficiency were a separate pressing topic of discussion. In this respect, the conclusions were made also on outcomes of the 28th session of the International Energy Charter Conference held in Ashgabat on November 28-29. Active research activity in the field of renewable energy sources and energy-saving technology is now well underway in Turkmenistan. Therefore, there is a great potential for cooperation with Austrian companies in this field. Other topics that were discussed at the meeting included industry and ore mining, the state import substitution and export promotion programs, under with there are plans in our country for the construction of dozens of innovative enterprises, including those for the production of a wide range of construction, chemical, household and other products from local raw materials, as well as for processing and production of various items of fishery output. The important role of the Austrian-Turkmen Society in the cultural and humanitarian fields was emphasized. This agency greatly contributes to development of bilateral relations, regularly organizes the Vienna Balls in Ashgabat. Pointing out the existence of good Turkmen-Austrian cooperation prospects, the heads of delegations expressed confidence that the new agreements reached during the commission’s present meeting, as well as at the earlier bilateral business forum, will contribute to further development of full-scale partnership. The next 10th meeting of the Joint Turkmen-Austrian Commission is to take place in the Austrian Republic in 2018.