Brussels, 16/03/2001 (Agence Europe) - According to Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Communities, inflation in the Euro zone reached 2.6% in the month of February, posting a rise of 0.6% points compared to the rate of 2% in February 2000. For the Europe of Fifteen, the rate rose from 2.2% in January to 2.3% in February. According to the Member States, the highest rate was reached in the Netherlands and Portugal (4.9% each) and in Spain (4.0%). The lowest rates were recorded in France (1.4%), in Sweden (1.5%) and in Austria (1.8%). According to the sector, the rise was the greatest in the consumer price index concerning energy which, with the rise of oil prices, has seen an increase of 1.4%. Transport rose 0.9%, while those for communication fell 0.5%. However, the European Commission feels that these figures do not cast doubt over its forecasts.