Brussels, 27/02/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday, the Council decided to refuse to allow the leaders of the self-proclaimed Republic of Transnistria to enter the EU, for refusing to hold discussions with the Moldavian authorities. The decision is accompanied by conclusions in which the Council highlights its concerns about the "obstructionism" of the leaders of this region of Moldova. The visa ban covers "President" Igor Smirnov, two of his sons, the "Vice-President", the leaders of the "Assembly", the "Ministers" and the President of the "National Bank of Transnistria". The common position notes that this measure will not necessarily apply if a Member State hosts an international conference or an OECD meeting. The decision will apply as from Thursday for a renewable 12 month period. The United States is expected to apply the same visa ban, and this is likely to be accompanied by a joint EU-US statement.