Price index in Europe stable in February

BRUSSELS, March 14 (UPI) -- The consumer price index in the 17-member eurozone was unchanged from January to February, the European Union's data office said Wednesday.

The estimate shows inflation is stable in the region although prices on an annual basis are up 2.7 percent in the eurozone and 3 percent in the 27-member European Union.

Compared to January 2012, consumer prices in the EU rose 0.5 percent.

The lowest annual inflation averages were posted in Sweden with annual averages at 1.3 percent, Slovenia with the average of 2.1 percent and Malta with an average 2.3 percent.

The highest 12-month average inflation rate in the region is in Romania, prices up 5.1 percent and Estonia, with prices up 5 percent, Eurostat said.