Elements of Diplomatic Negotiation

A. Conflict of Interest and Power Relationships

There are three varying forms of conflict of interest, and power relationships that can be assessed in diplomatic negotiations. Meerts (2015a) states that “Depending on their interests, states can have contacts with each other in three different ways. If their interests overlap completely, all that is necessary is to sit around a table together to discuss how business should be conducted, based on mutual interests. After the common interests have been established, common strategy can be determined. Negotiation is not necessary, as there are no conflicts of interest” (p.59). The statements reveal that the varying forms in which conflict of interest and power relationships can be assessed include the different overlapping interest of the involved parties, the common interests that leads to common strategies, and when states have common interests on similar issues. In today’s contemporary environment, countries tend to have different conflict areas, and in some cases, they have a common interest in similar issues. A good example of this is the current COVID-19 pandemic. The global pandemic has proved deleterious to most countries, thereby calling for multilateral diplomatic negotiations to develop a strategic solution that works for all parties. 

B . Inter-State Negotiations

The very nature of diplomatic negotiation is that it takes place between two or more states. By extension, this means that diplomatic negotiations can also be referred to as inter-state negotiations. Meerts (2015a) reveals that it is a crucial element of diplomatic negotiations since it particularly defines the process where states come together due to mutual problems to arrive at beneficial solutions for all parties. Inter-state negotiations may be characterized by the level of differences, openness, trust, and common interests. In cases where there are limited common interests, inter-state negotiations prove to be particularly intricate since there are competitive negotiations instead of cooperative negotiations. Therefore, this may promote distrust, thus limiting the inter-state negotiations. Inter-state negotiations are also a vital element in diplomatic negotiations since it necessitates a negotiator’s ability to assist in the negotiation processes. On most occasions, a third party may act as the negotiator since the party may note that the countries have common interests even though they may not see it. 

C. Diplomat and Negotiation Behavior

Diplomatic negotiations I an intricate process that exhibit particular negotiation behaviours. In most diplomatic negotiations, individuals referred to as diplomats carry out the diplomatic negotiation processes. Diplomats usually act as the official representatives of a given country. They are responsible for presenting the country’s position and power to the negotiating table, thereby exerting pressure to sway the negotiating results in their favour. While some countries select different diplomatic negotiators depending on the type of negotiations, Ambassadors often act as negotiators in diplomatic negotiations. In any diplomatic negotiation, a diplomat’s function is not limited to only representing a given state in a bid to come up with a consensus or solutions to a given problem. Meerts (2015a) states that “Diplomatic negotiators not only have the task of problem-solving; sometimes their task is to conceal problems, to introduce uncertainty and ambiguity instead of clarification (Friedman, 1995). This has the consequence for negotiations that issues are continually pushed to the future and that finding solutions can be seen as untimely and even harmful. The interest of the state often requires negotiations to be strung out and solutions to be delayed, because the existence of the current unstable situation offers an advantage to one or more of the negotiating states” (p.64). The statements reveal that diplomats’ function is limitless, ranging from representation to protecting the state through concealing issues, thereby creating a state of ambiguity.