Brussels, 18/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - The annual inflation rate in the countries of the euro zone was up 0.2% between September and October and now reaching 2.3%, according to the data published by Eurostat on Monday. The annual inflation rate in the whole of the EU went from 1.9% in September to 2.1% in October. The highest annual rates were noted in Ireland (4.4%), Portugal (4.1%), Spain (4.0%) and Greece (3.9%). The lowest rates were recorded in Belgium and Germany (1.3% each) as well as in the United Kingdom (1.4%). Energy prices recorded their first annual rise since September 2001, with a 2.3% rise.
The spokesperson for Commissioner Pedro Solbes pointed out that the Commission still expected a slowdown in inflation in the euro zone next year, despite the figures published today by Eurostat. These estimates do not have a negative impact on the autumn forecasts published last week by the Commission, said the spokesperson, for whom inflation is mainly affected by the rise in prices in the services sector.