Brussels - The annual rate of inflation in the 16-member eurozone edged up to 1.2 per cent in February, according to preliminary figures released on Monday.

Eurozone inflation was 1.1 per cent in January.

February's preliminary estimate figures come from the European Union's statistical office, Eurostat, which will provide a breakdown of the figure when it publishes its final results on March 16.

The countries which share the European common currency are Belgium, Germany, Ireland, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia and Finland. (dpa)