The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, and the OSCE acting Head of Mission, Dieter Woltmann, wholeheartedly welcome today's adoption of the Election Law by the BiH House of Representatives. This is a major step forward for Bosnia and Herzegovina on its way to joining European institutions and in consolidating democracy.

Both the OHR and the OSCE have made it very clear in recent months that an Election Law is not a luxury but an urgent necessity. The law represents a basic piece of legislation in every democracy. For Bosnia and Herzegovina it is also an important prerequisite for accession to the Council of Europe. It is heartening to see that months of work aimed at reaching a compromise have now produced a successful result.

Once the Election Law has passed the House of Peoples it is of utmost importance that preparations for elections begin immediately, so as to meet timelines which will allow elections to take place by October 2002. The OSCE stands ready to give advice and technical support in this.