Protecting power

Country that represents a second country to a third country

A protecting power is a country that represents another sovereign state in a country where said sovereign state lacks its own formal diplomatic representation in the protecting power’s state. It is common for protecting powers to be appointed when two countries break off diplomatic relations with each other. The protecting power is responsible for looking after the protected power's diplomatic property and citizens in the hosting state. If diplomatic relations were broken by the outbreak of war, the protecting power will also inquire into the welfare of prisoners of war and look after the interests of civilians in enemy-occupied territory.

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