The Fourth Summit held in January 1992 in Singapore agreed that, as part of an increasingly interdependent world, ASEAN should intensify cooperative relationships with interested non-dialogue countries and international organizations. The period saw Laos and Vietnam assuming Observer status in ASEAN, the establishment of ASEAN-India Sectoral Dialogue and the discussions on ASEAN-People's of Republic of China (PRC) consultative relationship. Various regional organizations have also approached ASEAN to establish cooperative relationships.

At the 25th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting in July 1992, Laos and Vietnam acceded to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia. On the same occasion, ASEAN accorded them the Observer status in ASEAN. ASEAN is in the process of determining ways of engaging Laos and Vietnam in ASEAN activities.