BELGRADE : Serbia's pro-Europeans and the socialists of late president Slobodan Milosevic are "very close" to agreeing on a government after last weekend's elections, the daily Blic reported Wednesday.

The deal was all but sealed after two days of talks between Serbian President Boris Tadic, the leader of the Democratic Party which heads the pro-European alliance, and Socialist Party leader Ivica Dacic, Blic said.

But it will only be made public later this month, after the results of Sunday's legislative elections are officially confirmed, the newspaper added, citing what it said were high-ranking sources from both parties.

"The agreement should be announced straight after the publication of the final results of the parliamentary elections, which have been delayed by seven days," it quoted one source close to the talks as saying.

Blic added that the deal was reached despite Dacic having been exposed to "severe pressures" from officials close to nationalist caretaker Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, as well as businessmen.

- AFP/vm