29/08/2002 (Agence Europe) - Eurostat released statistics on 27 August showing that the upward trend in construction in the EU, begun in third quarter 2001, continued and intensified in first quarter 2002. Production rose 1.8% over the same period in 2001. A comparable trend was recorded in the euro area, with a 1% increase, although the upward trend got under way later, in fourth quarter 2001.