President-elect Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Sunday that Iran needs nuclear technology for medical, scientific and engineering applications and would go ahead with its national nuclear program.

"It is the right of the Iranian nation to move forward in all fields and acquire modern technology. Nuclear technology is the outcome of scientific progress of Iranian youth." Asked by CNN reporter about US officials' statements calling Iranian presidential election as undemocratic and on prospects for Iran-US relations, he said, "We are willing to develop relations with all nations based on justice and mutual respect." "Our foreign policy about relations with the US has been announced time and again. Our nation is passing through a period of self-confidence, progress and advance and does not need the US assistance," Ahmadinejad said.

"Any one not being hostile to Iran will be taken into consideration in our foreign policy," he said.

"Those willing to have relations with the Islamic Republic should announce their decision and the system will study their offer." "The fact that the US described Iranian election as undemocratic, is a viewpoint. Anyone has the right to put forward his views. We should see whether or not such statements are true. Such statements are devoid of reality or fair approach," he said.

Asked about Iran-EU nuclear talks, he said that Iran would go ahead with confidence-building talks to vindicate the right of the Iranian nation for peaceful application of nuclear energy.

He said that confidence-building should be mutual and the European party is expected to fulfill its commitments to the talks and follow logical approach in this respect.