Nessebar municipality was the only institution with the power to ban construction in the Irakli region, the only remaining wild beach area in Bulgaria, Regional Development Minister Assen Gagauzov said.

Darik Radio quoted Gagauzov as saying that investors and locals planning to construct in Irakli put significant pressure on the municipality. Gagauzov added that the ministry would refrain from interfering, based on beach ownership regulations.

Gagauzov denied claims the government had interests in continuing coastal construction. Claims were grounded on the fact that deputy Environment Minister Lyubka Kachakova owned property in the coastal village of Emona.

Gagauzov said that Kachakova purchased the property legally and that her ownership over the estate had no influence over governmental or municipal decisions.

Environment and Water Affairs Minister Djevdet Chakurov said that he wanted to get acquainted with the documents before saying whether there was conflict of interest. He added that all ministries involved in the Irakli issue should also state their position.