The 2015 installment of the FIA Sport Regional Congresses has now come to an end, with the closing of the Central European Zone Congress in Zagreb on 12 December. FIA President Jean Todt was once again in attendance and was involved in several activities organized by the local authorities in cooperation with FIA ASN CCKF. His programme aimed at promoting the activities of the FIA in the regions, both in the field of sport and mobility.

Raising the FIA's Profile in front of the local Media

The day opened with a press conference, which provided Zrinko Gregurek, the Deputy Director of the National Police of Croatia Josip Mataija and Jean Todt to jointly review the National Road Safety Strategy which has been devised by Croatia further to the launch of the UN Decade of Action for Road Safety in 2011. Josip Matajia pointed that through sticter law enforcement, Croatia as successfully decreased the number of fatalities from 800 to approximately 250 since the middle of the 1990's.

Jean Todt praised this achievement but nonetheless recalled that post-crash care and education - two major features of the Safe System Approach advertised by the Decade - were important areas of action and might just be the next step for Croatia. He also insisted that the FIA clubs are stakeholder of choice to assist in the fight for road safety, both in programme implementation processes or in communications. Zrinko Gregurek finally presented Jean Todt with a Declaration of Joint Commitment to Road Safety, signed by both CCKF and the President of the Republic of Croatia - as a recognition of the FIA President dedication to the cause.

The press conference went on and participants discussed the other side of the FIA's activities: sport. Jean Todt and Zrinko Grigurek portrayed the motor sport landscape of the region, insisting on the dynamism Hill Climb and Rally grassroots scene. They acknowledged the safety and funding challenges that motor sport enthusiasts and license holders of the FIA Central European Zone are facing.

CCKF's show of solidarity with France

Although life goes on since the horrendous attacks that have struck Paris on November 13, the FIA Club in Croatia wanted to take a moment to honor the memory of the victims and seized the opportunity of Jean Todt's stay in Zagreb to show their solidarity with France. In presence of the French Ambassador to Croatia, Michèle Boccoz, and of the Mayor of Zagreb, Milan Bandic, all present respected a minute of silence on Zagreb's main square.