The leaders of the Serbian Progressive Party and the Democratic Party of Serbia, Tomislav Nikolic and Vojislav Kostunica, agreed on Sept. 20 that the "Europe has no alternative" policy should be opposed.

After the two met at Progressive headquarters, Nikolic told journalists that the idea was not being contested between the two parties, and pointed out that only Serbia, family and life had no alternative.

However, Nikolic also stressed that his party was for the European Union and that the Serbian Progressive Party and Democratic Party of Serbia's lines in the sand were defending the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Serbia.

Kostunica said the pernicious "Europe has no alternative" policy had to be stopped, and that his party and the Progressives agreed that Serbia needed new elections, which is why the two parties should work together, regardless of their different views on the EU.

He added that a pre-election coalition had not been discussed and that he did not see that as an option at this time. Kostunica went on to say that talks with the EU should not be suspended, but that "a dialogue instead of dictates and blackmail" should be established with the 27-nation bloc.

The Democratic Party said the agreement between the Progressives and the Democratic Party of Serbia on joint action was a clear indicator that "an anti-European and nationalist coalition, whose goal is to isolate Serbia and distance it from the EU and the developed world," was operating again.