The two –year mandate of Bulgaria as non-permanent member of the UN Security Council began on January 1, 2002. On October 8, 2001 the UN General Assembly elected Bulgaria non-permanent member of the Security Council of the East-European regional group, starting from January 1, 2002 until December 31, 2003. More than 120 countries voted in favor of Bulgaria`s joining the UN Security Council. The competitor Belarus received 53 votes. Bulgaria was elected in the first round of voting. Bulgaria along with the other four new non-permanent members of the Security Council – Guinea, Mexico, Syria, Cameroon - come to replace Bangladesh, Jamaica, Mali, Tunisia, and Ukraine. The mandate of the other non-permanent members of the Security Council - Ireland, Colombia, Norway, Mauritius and Singapore expires in January 2003. Unlike them the five permanent members -- China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States – have the right of veto. Bulgaria was non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 1966-67 and in 1986-87.

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