The annual rate of inflation in the euro zone was stable at 1.9% in December, according to official figures.
The figure is in line with the European Central Bank's preferred level of close to but less than 2%. It was the same as a preliminary estimate published previously by EU agency Eurostat.
Headline inflation has closely followed the trend on global oil markets recently, where the price of crude has dropped from a record peak of around $78 a barrel in mid July to under $52.
But the ECB warned last week of 'upside risks' to inflation, citing higher administered prices, indirect taxes 'and the possibility of renewed oil price increases'.
Separate figures showed that German inflation fell last year below the ECB 2% limit. The federal statistics office Destatis said inflation in Germany stood at an average annual level of 1.7% in 2006, down from 2% in 2005. The ECB defines price stability as consumer price increases close to but just below 2%. In December alone, the inflation rate was 1.4% compared with 1.5% in November.
