To get more options, you must research several technologies from the empire development tree. It is worth adding that another civilization will not like it when you colonize systems that are close to their borders, or you create an outpost in the same system. If another civilization considers you to be weaker, it treats you with contempt and usually demands something. If you refuse a diplomatic meeting, this does not mean that that civilization will immediately declare war on you.
If you have a good relationship, you will often receive offers of trade or scientific cooperation. If you have a strong or very good relationship, you can ask for something. On the diplomacy screen, you can see the current state and level of relations (filling in the blue or red bar). You can also click on another civilization to see its relationship with the rest of the peoples. This will be useful if you are looking for mutual friends or enemies.
You can sign the following agreements with other civilizations:
Cold War. This is a special status to some extent of peace and war between empires. You can attack the enemy, but only on your own or neutral territory. You can only travel on enemy territory. The exception is when the system is in the zone of influence of your empire.
World. This is much better than Cold War status. You cannot attack enemy fleets or systems. Statust serves to improve relations with another empire.
Alliance. Not only does it strengthen ties with another civilization, but it also serves to protect you. If someone declares war on you, an ally must come to your aid. This also works the other way around, so you can go into a war you didn't want to participate in.
Closing / opening of borders. Thanks to this declaration, you can close your borders to other people, which, however, will negatively affect trade, science and relations.
Trade. You open your borders to your partner's trade routes. The same thing happens on his part. If neither side has trading companies, this agreement only improves the relationship between you.
The science. Scientific collaboration between your empires will lead to new technology and increased scientific points.
Information exchange. You can exchange your intelligence on systems in exchange for their intelligence achievements.
General form. After signing this agreement, you will be able to fully see the partner's system and fleet.
Diplomacy with small factions
Building relationships with small civilizations is much easier than dealing with large factions. First of all, you need to open technologies from the main branch of the empire's development. Each galaxy has a large number of random factions. They occupy only one planet in the system. This is neutral territory, where pirates also appear and attack everyone. You want such a system to be located close to your borders. If you are going to negotiate, you must have a lot of influence points.
Available actions:
Establishing relationships. Opens up other diplomatic actions for you.
Praise. Useful if you want to quickly establish good relations with a particular faction.
Help. Once you have achieved 50-75% good relations with the faction, you will be able to provide assistance for free.
Assimilation. Peaceful takeover. You should have a fully filled relationship bar and a lot of influence points (depending on the size of your empire and your friendly faction). Also, that faction should not have other allies.
War. Relations drop to zero, but you get the opportunity to conquer the faction.
Selective migration. If you have a good relationship and enough luxury resources, you can encourage the population to migrate to you. Useful if you want to expand your population.
Development grants. Spend some expensive materials on enhancing the planet's productivity, which will increase your honor and your relationship profits. Revenues in the form of dust, science and human resources will be doubled.
Request for troops. With good relations, you can pay for raw materials and luxurious resources, and in return get a group of ships, consisting of representatives of an alien civilization.
