President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday that proposal of the European Union (EU) on Iranian nuclear program has been an affront to the Iranian nation.

Speaking in a telephone conversation with United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan, President Ahmadinejad said that application of nuclear energy for civilian purpose is Iran's legitimate right and no one can ignore it.

"As you know, Iran is also a member of the United Nations. We support UN Charter and respect international conventions and reaffirm our commitment to them. We also support multilateral efforts to help restore peace and justice," President Ahmadinejad said.

"We are a member to International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and expect to enjoy our rights enshrined in the agency's charter," he said.

"Mr. secretary general is also expected to support a member state of the international community to enjoy its rights. Of course, his eminence will refrain from unilateral action. Iran cannot overlook its legitimate rights," Ahmadinejad said.

"What the Europeans have forwarded to us does not look like a proposal at all. It is an insult to the Iranian nation. They have talked in a way as if the Iranian nation was suffering from backwardness and the time was 100 years ago and our country was their colony. They acted in a such a way they want to give concession to us," President Ahmadinejad said.

The subjects they have mentioned in the so-called proposal have nothing to do with Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and Additional Protocol to NPT, Ahmadinejad said.

"We respect the conventions and observe them, but, we cannot accept something beyond the law. The letter which they have forwarded to us is in contravention of international law and IAEA charter," said the president.

"Uranium Conversion Facility (UCF) in Isfahan has been set up in line with respective conventions. It is our national right to have uch a technology and nothing has taken place in contradiction of law and nor has a unilateral action been taken," President Ahmadinejad said.

"However, we are ready for talks and negotiations have never been interrupted on our part. We are willing to continue with negotiations within the framework of IAEA regulations and safeguard agreement," Ahmadinejad said.

"Iranian officials gave two years for confidence building and it seems such an approach has enhanced the level of expectations of the EU party. The EU party expects Iran to accept violation of its national rights. No Iranian national accepts such an injustice.

However, we are ready to proceed with talks. Of course, I will put forward initiatives in this respect after forming my cabinet," he said.

"We expect you, Mr. secretary general, that the process will not lead the international organizations to lose their jurisdiction. I am keen on holding talks with your excellency on issues of mutual interest in the upcoming General Assembly (in September).

Annan offered felicitations to Ahmadinejad on his election as resident of Iran and called on Iran to offer its proposal in reply to that of the EU.

Annan also called on Iran to exercise restraint in nuclear activities.

He said that he was concerned about the deadlock in Iran-EU nuclear talks.

The UN secretary general hoped that he would discuss international issues with the Iranian president in the course of United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York.