Berlin- Germany, joined by Austria and Switzerland, has sent a warning to Turkey charging that the new Ilisu dam is in breach of environmental rules.

An estimated 450 million euros (612 million dollars) in export guarantees from the three nations underpin the financing for the controversial dam in south-eastern Turkey.

The Economics Ministry in Berlin confirmed Wednesday the despatch of the warning letter.

It gave a deadline of 60 days to agree on a solution to the problems, which have been highlighted by environmentalists and archaeologists.

An official said a conceivable solution would be agreement on a timetable to fulfil the environmental requirements. The dam is due for completion in 2012. (dpa)