16/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - According to figures published by Eurostat on Monday 16 March, the eurozone annual rate of inflation was 1.2% in February 2009, compared to 1.1% the previous month. A year earlier, it stood at 3.3%. The monthly inflation was 0.4% in February 2009. The annual rate of inflation of the EU was 1.7% in February 2009 compared to 1.8% in January 2009. One year earlier, it was 3.5%. The monthly rate of inflation was 0.4% in February 2009. In February 2009, the lowest annual rates were in Ireland and Portugal (0.1% each) as well as in Cyprus (0.6%), and the highest were in Latvia (9.4%), Lithuania (8.5%) and Romania (6.9%). Average rates over twelve months until February 2009 were at their lowest in the Netherlands and Portugal (2.2% each), as well as Germany (2.4%). Highest averages were in Latvia (14.1%), as well as in Bulgaria and Lithuania (10.8% each). (O.L./transl.jl)