MINSK, November 28. /TASS/. Minsk is deeply concerned about the increased activities of NATO member countries along the western borders of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and the build-up of the alliance's offensive capabilities near Belarus' borders, the republic's Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov said in Astana at a joint meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers, the Council of Defense Ministers, and the Committee of Security Council Secretaries of the CSTO, the Foreign Ministry's press service reported.

Ryzhenkov highlighted "an unprecedented rise in regional and global tensions, the escalation of armed conflicts, and the militarization of international relations." He expressed concern over "NATO's intensified activity on the CSTO's western borders and the alliance's expansion of offensive capabilities near Belarus."

The foreign minister called for stronger efforts to de-escalate tensions and foster dialogue to establish an architecture of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia while building a new multipolar world order. He referenced the second Minsk International Conference on Eurasian Security, held from October 31 to November 1, 2024, where these issues were discussed.

Ryzhenkov highlighted the CSTO's vital role in "enhancing security and stability in the Eurasian region and ensuring the safety of its member states." He stressed the need for coordinated efforts within the CSTO to address modern security challenges and threats effectively.

Belarus was also represented at the event by State Secretary of the Security Council Alexander Volfovich and Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin.