preliminary talks
Initial negotiation phase
Preliminary talks are initial discussions held before formal negotiations begin.
They establish whether parties have enough common ground to proceed, clarify positions, and set agendas for substantive talks to follow.
Preliminary talks between the two nations broke down over preconditions.
The phrase appears frequently in diplomatic and labor contexts.
- negotiationsFormal discussion seeking agreement
- discussionsConversations examining a topic
- back channelUnofficial communication route
- behind closed doorsIn private, unobserved
- groundworkFoundational preparation for something
feelers · overtures · olive branch · exploratory · dialogue · initial · tentative · opening · icebreaker · handshake · agenda · framework · proposals · sounding · trial balloon · first contact · probing · informal
preliminary talksfinal round
Ultimate competitive stage
treaty signing · summit meeting · final settlement · ratification · binding agreement
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