Brussels/Taipei, March 4 (CNA) The Flemish Parliament of Federal Belgium approved a resolution on Wednesday calling for the region's government to strengthen its ties with Taiwan and work on promoting peace across the Taiwan Strait.

The resolution, initiated by legislators from the Flanders' ruling coalition last November, was approved in a plenary session with a vote of 117:0 and four abstentions, according to Taiwan's representative office in the European Union (EU) and Belgium.

It urged the Flemish Government to strengthen its relations with Taiwan, cooperate with the EU to support Taiwan's democratic system and facilitate peace between Taiwan and China, as well as cross-strait dialogue, the office said.

The resolution also wants Taiwan to have meaningful participation in international organizations such as the World Health Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization and international treaties such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the office said.

In addition, it called on the Flemish Government and the EU to continue to deepen their economic, cultural and academic engagements with Taiwan and stressed the importance of signing a bilateral investment agreement, the office said.

It noted that it was the first time the Flemish Parliament had expressed its support for Flanders-Taiwan relations by way of passing a resolution.

Meanwhile, in Taipei, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) welcomed the "continued deepening and expansion of bilateral relations."

"The Flemish Government has always maintained friendly relations with Taiwan," MOFA spokesperson Joanne Ou said during a regular press briefing.

"The two sides have signed a total of six memorandums of understanding on cooperation in the fields of green energy, investment, education, technology, vocational training and public health," she said.

She mentioned that Flemish companies Jan De Nul and DEME, both of which are involved in offshore wind farm operations, have been helping Taiwan develop its abilities in that field.

The Flemish Government is one of three regional governments in Belgium, which have powers in matters relating to their respective territories, including promoting bilateral relations with other countries.