Senior officials from the Council of Europe say Bosnia-Hercegovina could become a member of the organisation this year if it makes progress on a number of key areas.

A delegation visiting the country stressed more work was needed in strengthening human rights and making multi-ethnic institutions -- especially the parliament -- fully functioning.

Under the Dayton peace agreement Bosnia is divided into the Muslim-Croat Federation and the Serb Republic.

Correspondents say the work of the institutions that unite the two parts has been hampered by frequent disagreements, leaving international officials to impose a number of vital laws.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service