NHK reported that Foreign Minister Motegi announced today that he will visit Portugal, France, and Saudi Arabia from Sept. 29 to Oct. 4, saying that this will be the first overseas trip by a cabinet minister since the launch of the Suga cabinet. The network said Motegi is expected to exchange views with his Portuguese and French counterparts on cooperation toward realizing an “open and free Indo-Pacific,” measures against COVID-19, and regional affairs. In a meeting with Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal, Motegi is expected to confirm cooperation toward a successful G20 summit in November. The ministers are also likely to discuss regional affairs in the Middle East in view of the recent agreement between the UAE and Bahrain to normalize their diplomatic relations.