The High Representative, Wolfgang Petritsch, welcomes the entry into force of the Law on Associations and Foundations, enacted by the BiH Parliament in late December 2001. This Law will make a decisive contribution to the consolidation of civil society in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

This Law gives non-governmental organizations and foundations ("NGOs") the possibility to register at the State level and thus potentially represent Bosnia and Herzegovina in contacts with international partners. In addition, it should be noted that this Law is to a large extent in conformity with Council of Europe standards, as well as other relevant international and domestic legislation.