Select a language
It's a victory for environmentalists, trumpets [Frankfurter Rundschau](http://www.fr-online.de/in_und_ausland/wirtschaft/aktuell/1826240_Berlin-legt-Ilisu-Staudamm-trocken.html). Germany, Austria and Switzerland have withdrawn from the construction of a dam in Ilisu, south-east Turkey. Two years after signing up to this controversial project that weighs in at €1.3bn for the construction of dams, reservoirs and a hydroelectric power station in an ecologically sensitive region, the governments have withdrawn their export guarantees, arguing that "Turkey has not sufficiently respected its obligations, neither in matters of the environment and the conservation of cultural heritage, nor in the displacement of local populations," the German daily reports. Reminding readers that the project was accompanied by a protest campaign organised by NGO's, artists and ecologists, the Rundschau opines that "Turkey will surely find the necessary funds elsewhere." "David has not felled Goliath," it concludes, "but at least, it has tripped it up."
Was this article useful? If so we are delighted!
It is freely available because we believe that the right to free and independent information is essential for democracy. But this right is not guaranteed forever, and independence comes at a cost. We need your support in order to continue publishing independent, multilingual news for all Europeans.
Discover our subscription offers and their exclusive benefits and become a member of our community now!
