"I spend at least 50 percent of my time engaged in negotiations," he said.

He added that there were several companies engaged in negotiations.

"There is a way out: if we're engaged in serious negotiations with the city administration."

"City officials have a strong desire not to engage in public negotiations," he said.

Even now, the two sides are far from being engaged in negotiations about a peace settlement.

This included its call for the government to engage in meaningful negotiations with the unions.

The same is true for most ambassadors except those engaged in very specific negotiations such as on trade or arms control.

Above all, we need, of course, to urge the parties themselves to come to the table and seriously engage in negotiations.

And what has happened is that we are engaged in negotiations.

But by itself, engaging in negotiations does not amount to appeasement.