in parallel, adopt further measures to ensure that citizenship is confirmed for those at risk of statelessness. 3. Comments on progress in respect of UNHCR's recommendation to pursue opportunities for local integration or alternative legal status in countries of asylum in the region a) Regularization of stay Bosnia and Herzegovina: At the end of the reporting period there were 5,120 persons formally registered as refugees from Croatia by the line ministry of the entity of Republika Srpska. However, some 3,000 of these persons are members of families whose heads of households do have Bosnia and Herzegovina citizenship. UNHCR is currently working with the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina at the State and entity level to ascertain the remaining number of refugees. Following an outreach and information campaign conducted in 2015/2016, which UNHCR organized in coordination with the Ministry for Human rights and Refugees (MHRR) and the competent ministry from the entity of Republika Srpska, 278 persons23 were identified by the end of 2017. Of this number, 100 refugees applied for naturalization, of whom 79 have in the meantime obtained citizenship, while 21 are awaiting decision on naturalization based on facilitated conditions. Additional 47 refugees were assisted to apply for temporary residence permit, i.e. extension of this permit or permanent residence permit based on the Law on Foreigners. 112 refugees remained in need of further assistance to regularize their stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina and eventually naturalize. Many of the 278 persons identified are socially isolated, reside in remote areas and have limited or no financial means. In these circumstances, loss of refugee status through cessation without acquisition of nationality would further increase their vulnerability. The Citizenship Law of Bosnia and Herzegovina of 2013 eased the requirements for refugees to naturalize and was thus beneficial for some individuals. However, the procedure to obtain citizenship of Bosnia and Herzegovina remains complex, costly, and time consuming. UNHCR recommends that the authorities of Bosnia and Herzegovina better identify the extent of the residual impediments to acquisition of nationality for refugees from Croatia by jointly mapping problem areas and vulnerable cases with a view to further simplify the naturalization process. In this regard, UNHCR continues to advocate for facilitated naturalization for all remaining refugees who wish to naturalize. Montenegro: As noted above, the Ministry of Interior of the Government of Montenegro continues to process pending applications for foreigner status. Persons wishing to obtain the status of foreigner were obliged to re-avail themselves of the protection of their country of 23 Out of 278 persons, 19 passed away or decided not to pursue local integration / could not be found at their last reported residence. 16