United Nations, Sep 16 (IANS) A Chinese envoy called here Monday on all relevant parties to adopt a flexible and pragmatic approach to reach a comprehensive settlement of the Iranian nuclear issue in the next phase of negotiations.

Wang Min, China's deputy permanent representative to the UN, made the appeal at a Security Council meeting on the latest work of 1737 Committee, which is tasked with monitoring a set of sanctions against Iran established by Resolution 1737 and subsequent Council resolutions, Xinhua reported.

"China has always attached great importance to the work of the Committee and will continue to actively participate in the work of the Committee," Wang told the meeting.

"We hope the Committee will continue to fulfill its mandate in a pragmatic, steady and balanced manner," he said.

Noting that relevant Council resolutions should be fully and accurately implemented, Wang stressed that "the sanctions are only a means, not an end in themselves nor the criteria to measure the work of the Committee."