Official figures show that the annual inflation rate in the euro zone held steady in February at a record 3.2%.
The data, which were in line with forecasts, marked the second month in a row that inflation has run at the highest level since the euro zone was formed in 1999.
The figures, which came amid record oil prices of more than $100 a barrel, were also far above the European Central Bank's target of just under 2%.
German central bank governor Axel Weber, an influential member of the ECB's governing council, threw cold water last week on market expectations for a interest rate cut in coming months, warning about inflation threats.
Meanwhile, a survey showed that manufacturing activity in the euro slowed in February despite wide variations among some countries.
The euro zone's purchasing managers' index (PMI), compiled by NTC Research, fell to 52.3 points in February from 52.8 in January and was unchanged from a first estimate. Although the reading held above the 50-point growth level, it was still the second weakest since August 2005.
