MUNICH - China's foreign minister on Friday urged the world to be patient and keep up diplomatic efforts with Iran to try and find a solution to Tehran's nuclear ambitions. Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told a gathering of the world's top defense officials that negotiations with Iran's government have "entered a crucial stage." "The parties concerned should, with the overall and long-term interests in mind, step up diplomatic efforts, stay patient and adopt a more flexible, pragmatic and proactive policy," he said. "The purpose is to seek a comprehensive, long-term and proper solution through dialogue and negotiations." The comments at the Munich Security Conference, in its 46th year, came after Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki decided to join the meeting at the last minute. It was not clear whether Mottaki would attend the entire three-day conference, but he was scheduled to hold late-night discussions with Swedish Foreign Minister Carl Bildt. Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad earlier this week suggested he would at last agree to export a significant amount of uranium for processing. The U.N. is considering a fourth round of sanctions against the country for failing to rein in its nuclear ambitions. Iran's moves appeared timed in part to defuse pressure by the US, Britain and France for more sanctions against Iran. UN Security Council members China and Russia are not convinced. Mottaki was quoted by Munich's Sueddeutsche Zeitung as saying Iran had signaled its willingness to export uranium for processing from "the highest level" and added he hoped "the other side would recognize the determined will of Iran." Yang called for another round of talks involving the Security Council and Germany with the hope that a "mutually acceptable proposal" can be reached with Iran.