Brussels, 17/07/2002 (Agence Europe) - European Commission President Romano Prodi has called on Morocco and Spain to rekindle their dialogue on the subject of the island of Perejil (Moroccan name: Leïla). In a statement to reporters on Wednesday following the expulsion of the Moroccan "gendarmes" by Spanish commando forces, Romano Prodi said: "The Commission remains concerned by developments on the islet of Perejil. It is now time to return to the status quo ante and to resume dialogue between Spain and Morocco. The European Commission attaches great importance to relations between the EU and Morocco. We are ready to act to facilitate dialogue." In Madrid, the Spanish government said that the expulsion operation had been decided following the absence of a satisfactory response by Morocco. Spain's ambassador in Rabat, Fernando Arias Salgado, was recalled "for consultation". The Moroccan government has demanded immediate and unconditional retreat by the Spanish forces, asserting that the island is a part of Morocco. The Moroccan authorities strongly condemned the completely unjustified attack, saying it came at a time when morocco and Spain had agreed to resolve the crisis by diplomatic means.