The study of NATO’s discourse during the crises in Abkhazia, South Osetia and Crimea ofers a posibilty to analyse the way NATO presents itself and influences its identiy. By means of a discourse...Show moreThe study of NATO’s discourse during the crises in Abkhazia, South Osetia and Crimea ofers a posibilty to analyse the way NATO presents itself and influences its identiy. By means of a discourse analysis of NATO’s published texts during these two crises, this thesis wil elaborate on the role discourse has played in the shaping of NATO’s identiy. This thesis wil show that the identiy presented by NATO is that of an organisation that is mainly concerned with international norms and values. However, when confronted with a perceived threat by Rusia to the organisation itself, this identity also includes an emphasis on the miltary background of the organisation, which responds to a foreign threat. The identiy of NATO is thus more nuanced than frequently described and lies in the midle of the two identies that are most often atributed to NATO by the existing literature.Show less
Italy is one of the European countries which have relatively good trade and investment relations with Russia. These two countries have historic links especially in the fields of trade and...Show moreItaly is one of the European countries which have relatively good trade and investment relations with Russia. These two countries have historic links especially in the fields of trade and investments, and after the fall of the Communism but especially in the last decade their relations have been greatly improving and several new business deals are planned. Italy represents one of Russia's most important trading partners in the world. Nowadays Italy is the 4th largest foreign trade partner and the 3rd among European Union countries. During recent years several political meetings between the two countries' authorities have been organized, helping to develop a special, broad, strong and strategic Italian- Russian collaboration based on mutual trust and support.Show less
