Speaking on behalf of the European Alliance Group during the CoR plenary discussion with  Mrs Jutta Haug Vice-Chair of the European Parliament's Committee on Budgets,  Mr Rhodri Glyn Thomas AM broadly welcomed the European Commission proposals for the Multi Annual Finalcial Framework 2014 – 2020.  He said that it was hugely important that the CAP, Structural Funds and Research&Innovation remained pillars of the EU budget.