Grindvakten

Abstract: During the NATO application process for Sweden and Finland, Türkiye has halted the rapid pace of member states ratification through a set of conditions. This thesis’ aim is to examine the mechanisms behind the gatekeeping position upheld by Türkiye. My object of study consists of a transcript of a press briefing, held by the President of the European Parliament and the NATO Secretary General, and the Trilateral Memorandum signed by representatives of Finland, Sweden and Türkiye. I have conducted a Critical Discourse Analysis accompanied with a Sociology theory to identify inherent hierarchies, the model treats states as established or as outsiders. I have used CDA supplemented with Critical linguistics’ methods for the analysis of texts. During the study of the textual parts, I have studied the Trilateral Memorandum through its syntax and the press briefing through its modality in order to unveil manifestations of the identity constructions. I find that even if Finland and Sweden are kept outside they are still considered as established countries. Whereas Türkiye in its ambivalence not only faces the subordination of being an outsider country towards the West, but also possible changes in the discourse of war and against terror and the indivisibility of security.