Manama, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior, received Dr. Gerold Vollmer, the Director of Arab Gulf States, Near and Middle East and North Africa Affairs at the Austrian Ministry. Marian Alexander, Austrian Ambassador to Bahrain and Major-General Dr. Shaikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Deputy Chief of Public Security, attended. The minister commended the Bahraini-Austrian relations, especially in security cooperation to face challenges. The meeting reviewed the Interior Ministry's initiatives and projects, including the alternative penalties project and the open prison programme. It also discussed cooperation and expertise exchange between the interior ministries of the two countries based on the "Statement of Intent", which was signed by Gen. Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah and his Austrian counterpart, during his visit to Austria last January. Source: Bahrain News Agency