Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese (right) and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh exchange documents during a signing ceremony at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, March 7, 2024 (PHOTO / AP)

CANBERRA - Australia and Vietnam have upgraded their relationship by signing a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Thursday announced at a press conference that Australia and Vietnam have elevated their ties by signing a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Additionally, Albanese announced new agreements between Australia and Vietnam's science and maritime agencies to monitor the impact of climate change on marine environments and a new arrangement that will allow 1,000 Vietnamese workers to fill labor shortages in Australia's agriculture sector.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said on Tuesday he was expecting Vietnam and Australia to announce an upgrade of their bilateral ties during his ongoing visit, which now puts the country's relations with Australia at its highest possible level

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"Elevating our ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership today, places Australia and Vietnam among each other's significant partners," Albanese told a news conference in Canberra. 

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said on Tuesday he was expecting Vietnam and Australia to announce an upgrade of their bilateral ties during his ongoing visit, which now puts the country's relations with Australia at its highest possible level.

The partnership will support expanded cooperation on a range of issues, including climate, environment and energy, defence and security, and economic engagement and education, according to a joint statement released by the two countries.

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Australia is a major producer of critical minerals, used in everything from smartphones to automobiles, while Vietnam has some of the largest untapped deposits in the world.

"An annual ministerial dialogue on energy and minerals will drive cooperation in our energy and resources sectors, including critical minerals supply chains," the statement reads.

With Reuters inputs