Brussels, 30/09/2002 (Agence Europe) - The Council of the EU on Monday adopted conclusions on the Middle East, "urging both parties to show maximum restraint". The EU said that "restricting freedom of movement of the Palestinians and their leadership and destroying their infrastructure does not contribute to fighting terror or to solve Israel's legitimate security concerns". "The Council requests that EU representatives be granted access to the Palestinian President and other Palestinian Authority officials." The Council took note of the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Mukata to positions occupied before the recent attacks in Tel Aviv, reaffirmed its support for the Quartet's activity and the Danish Presidency's roadmap endorsed at the 17 September meeting in New York. It urges Palestinians to pursue their reforms and cooperate with Israel, the US, the EU and its Middle East partners to strengthen the Palestinian security services to put an end to all forms of terrorism. It called on the Palestinians to hold free and fair elections at the beginning of 2003, reaffirmed that the EU was prepared to provide aid and pointed out that measures had to be taken by Israel for the elections to be properly organised. The Council urged "Israel to facilitate the reform efforts by lifting curfews and closures, withdrawing to its positions held prior to 28 September 2000, by resuming transfer of Palestinian VAT and customs revenues and stopping settlement activities in the Occupied Territories". The Council also called on Israel to guarantee humanitarian staff full and safe access.