Bratislava  - Slovakia's annual inflation rate, based on the European Union's calculation method, remained flat at 4.4 per cent in August, according to government data released Tuesday.

Consumer prices were down 0.1 per cent in August compared to July, the Slovak Statistical Office said.

Slovakia has promised to keep consumer prices in check in order to get the EU's permission to switch to Europe's common currency, the euro, in January.

In August, inflation in the 15-member eurozone was 3.8 per cent.

According to the national calculation method, inflation peaked at 5 per cent in August compared to the same month last year, up from 4.8 per cent in July, the statisticians said last week, attributing the hike to rising electricity and natural gas prices. (dpa)