BRUSSELS (AFP) — The European Commission sidestepped on Wednesday charges from an MEP that Prince Charles has a conflict of interest over wind farms, as the royal begins a visit to Brussels.
"I'm not aware of any conflict of interest in that respect," commission spokesman Johannes Laitenberger told journalists.
Prince Charles was on an official visit to Brussels on Wednesday and Thursday, during which he was due to meet with commission chief Jose Manuel Barroso and give a speech about climate change at the European Parliament.
As the visit got under way, the leader of the UK Independence Party, a right-wing group in the parliament, accused the prince of having a "serious conflict of interest" over climate change because of wind farms on property owned by the royal family.
"The creation of wind farms is driven primarily by the renewable energy targets set by the European Union," Nigel Farage said in a statement.
"In every sense Prince Charles has a serious conflict of interests when he demands more action by the EU on climate change," he added.
The commission spokesman said that the talks with Barroso would focus on the prince's charitable activities.
British newspaper The Times reported on Monday that the Crown Estate stood to reap 100 million pounds (196 million dollars, 135 million euros) in profits per year from wind farms built on foreshores and seabeds it owns.
The newspaper noted that although the Crown Estate manages the Queen's land and assets, most of the revenue goes to the British Treasury.
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