Pyongyang, October 4 (KCNA) -- Belarus President Aleksandr

Lukashenko recently appreciated the role of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

In his congratulatory message to the participants in a CIS meeting, the president said CIS has promoted the formation of the Eurasia Economic Community, Customs Union and other new integrated organizations.

Over the past two decades, CIS has become a strong regional and economic centre and one of the most promising international alliances in view of potentials, he added.