At least for EC, Erik and Atanamir have founded at the begin of September an inter-continental guild, which should become a channel where everyone can talk with everyone and gossip can be exchanged, no diplomacy borders etc... but all IG.
The feedback is tremendous, we have already guildhouses in 8 cities and members from almost all realms with more guildhouses coming soon.
Only the guild/religion actions bug stopped things from going even faster.
An example where you can transfer local forums to IC means.