Brussels, 16/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - The annual inflation rate of the euro zone was 2.4% in March, as in February, according to the estimates provided by Eurostat on Wednesday. Inflation remained stable, also, in the EU as a whole at 2.3%. In March, the highest annual rates were in Ireland (4.9%), Greece (3.9%) and Portugal (3.8%). The lowest rates were recorded in Germany (1.2%), the United Kingdom (1.6%) and Belgium (1.7%). Compared to March 2002, the largest relative falls were in Germany (from 2.0% to 1.2%), Belgium (from 2.5% to 1.7%) and the Netherlands (from 4.3% to 3.1%). The biggest relative rises were noted in Luxembourg (from 1.7% to 3.7%), France (from 2.2% to 2.6%) and Spain (from 3.2% to 3.7%). The average lowest rates over twelve months, including March 2003, were noted in Germany (1.1%), Belgium and the United Kingdom (1.3% each). The highest rates were recorded in Ireland (4.7%), Greece and Portugal (3.8% each).