This week, Bulgaria was given the opportunity to take a big step onto the international stage.

Its election to the UN Security Council has given the small Balkan country the opportunity to do a little more than just voice its support for actions being taken by larger countries and not having much of an impact. The opportunity has presented itself during an important time in international relations for Bulgaria to make its presence known.

According to the charter of the UN Security Council, one of its objectives is "to maintain international peace and security in accordance with the principles and purposes of the United Nations." Given that international peace and security have been severely questioned since September 11, and even more so since a volley of U.S. and British cruise missiles began hitting Afghanistan on Sunday, it's not currently business as usual for the UN.

A broad international coalition against terrorism has been formed but as the war against it continues, the dangers of it faltering are quite realistic. As the only non-military international organization with enough clout to truly influence this coalition, the UN and its Security Council are now faced with an important task.

Bulgaria will be taking up its non-permanent membership seat at the start of January, a time when the war on terrorism will be about to enter its fifth month, and cracks in the seams of international support will be much more visible. As a Balkan country with a recent history of conflict a short drive away, Bulgaria's experience could be quite valuable.

That's only if they step up a bit though.

The true test will be how its representatives vote and how they argue sitting at a table with the U.S., Russia and the UK. It's a big stage but it's no time to get stage fright.

Bulgaria's relations with Turkey have been favourable of late, a definite bonus considering the country is the biggest Muslim ally of the Americans. Bulgaria can use Turkey to help communicate to the world that the war is not the West against Islam, but the world against terrorism.

With Syria's election to the council as well, it has the potential to become a common ground in the fight against extremism, and put out favourable messages and plans that Syria can take back to the Arab world in a positive light. The support of the Middle East is crucial and must be kept.

One of the goals of the Security Council is as follows: "When a dispute leads to fighting, the council's first concern is to bring it to an end as soon as possible." That becomes quite relevant in regard to recent developments.

The U.S. and UK have been speaking about a long-term sustained war on terrorism that will include several fronts, one of which being military action. The Security Council will obviously have to deal with this issue and decide if it will back the ongoing war or if it will take a silent backseat.

In the upcoming discussions, Bulgaria has the chance to reintroduce itself to the world. Whether through its vote or its arguments, the country can prove itself to be a worthy player on the international stage. Just taking up a non-permanent voting seat for two years and not participating would be the worst thing the country could do.

If that's the plan, it would be better to just stay home.