Czech Republic suspends payment of 40 million crowns for development aid to Afghanistan

In view of the Taliban take-over in Afghanistan, the Czech Republic has suspended the payment of 40 million crowns intended for development aid to the country, the Czech Foreign Ministry announced. The money was to have been used to support the defense and security forces and assist the country's sustainable development. Germany and a number of other European countries have done likewise.  Czech Foreign Minister Jakub Kulhánek said on Thursday that the Czech Republic should try to condition humanitarian aid to Afghanistan on respect for basic human rights.