Turkish government 180 days to meet standards set by the World Bank. These standards were 153 requirements on environmental protection, resettlement of villages, protection of cultural heritage, and resource management with neighbouring states. As Turkey did not fulfil any of them, the three ECAs indicated in a joint press release issued on 7 July 2009 that they withdrew from the project. Shortly after, in another joint press release issued on the same day, the three banks (Société Générale, UniCredit and DekaBank) financing the Ilısu Dam project also stated – in line with the decision of the ECAs – that the export credit granted by the three banks for the construction of the Ilısu Dam would no longer be available. This meant that Turkey has had to finance the proposed project with internal sources. The Minister of Forestry and Environment, Veysel Eroğlu, on a number of platforms, declared that the government would build the Dam despite all obstacles - and objections. That the Ilısu Dam has become a "project of honour" for the Turkish State has been made very clear by Eroğlu. "We do not need their money. We will construct this dam at any cost." Since 2009 the construction has proceeded with the financial support of Turkish banks; Garanti Bankası and Akbank. As a result of the resettlement program for the population, many residents of Hasankeyf moved to a Yeni Hasankeyf (New Hasankeyf) on a hill which was to be at the shore of the dam reservoir after the construction of the dam is terminated. By July 2020, the ancient town was completely submerged in the waters of the dam. Climate The local climate is moderated by the proximity of the Tigris river. It makes the winters milder, with lows of . Temperatures in summer can reach , and the yearly average temperature is . See also Ilısu Dam Campaign Southeastern Anatolia Project References Sources A. Fink: Der arabische Dialekt von Hasankeyf am Tigris (Osttürkei). Geschichte – Grammatik – Texte – Glossar''. Harrassowitz, Wiesbaden 2017 (Semitica Viva 57), External links ICOMOS Heritage at Risk 2006/2007: Hasankeyf, a Site Threatened by the Ilisu Dam Project Hasankeyf, a City Doomed to Disappear... Extensive picture series Photos of Hasankeyf Hasankeyf nerede (Turkish) "Deep divide", 23 March 2008 Financial Times article on the damming of the Tigris River "Life in Limbo" is a 2009 documentary short on the life of the residents in Hasankeyf