<Tr> <Th> UNSC seat </Th> <Td> Non-permanent (elected once) </Td> </Tr> <P> The relationship of Germany and the United Nations first began during World War II . The United Nations then was synonymous with the Allies of World War II and Germany then being the Greater German Reich, a member of the Axis powers . With the war ending in the defeat of Germany, the country's territory was divided amongst the victors and what was to remain Germany was under Allied administration . In 1949, two new countries were created in these occupied territories: the Federal Republic of Germany in May and the German Democratic Republic in October . </P> <P> Both Germanys were admitted as full members of the United Nations (UN) on 18 September 1973 . The two countries eventually merged on 3 October 1990, signifying an end of the Cold war era . Today, Germany is the third largest contributor to the UN budget, after the United States and Japan, with 190 million US dollars, or roughly 8% of the UN budget for the 2010 - 11 biennial budget . </P> <P> The Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) was admitted to the UN as an observer in 1955 . The German Democratic Republic (East Germany) was admitted as an observer in 1972 . On 18 September 1973 both were admitted as full members by the United Nations General Assembly, following the recommendation of the Security Council by Resolution 335 on 22 June 1973 . Through the accession of the German Democratic Republic to the Federal Republic of Germany, it was effective on 3 October 1990 . The territory of the German Democratic Republic became part of the Federal Republic of Germany, today simply known as Germany . Consequently, the Federal Republic of Germany continued being a member of the UN while the German Democratic Republic ceased to exist . </P>

When did germany become part of the un