A trip to Washington DC for President Barack Obama’s inauguration provided an opportunity to establish “key relationships”, according to Premier Craig Cannonier.The Premier and his wife Antoinette were in the US capital over the weekend for the inauguration celebrations, and were invited guests at The President’s Ball at the Washington Convention Centre.He described the trip as a successful one, saying that he was able to use the opportunity to meet with several key political figures and lawmakers.The Premier attended the Inaugural Ball for the State of Maryland on Sunday, where he met with Governor Martin O'Malley, Lieutenant Governor Anthony Brown, who is running for Governor of Maryland next year, Congressman Chris Van Hollen, Congressman Elijah Cummings, Senator Benjamin Cardin, former Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, the daughter of the late Robert Kennedy, Secretary of State John McDonough, County executive Isiah Leggett, Delegate Tom McMillan and Senator Bryan Frosh.“We want to establish key relationships with the United States of America, as well as specific states on the East Coast,” Mr Cannonier said.“There is much we Bermudians can learn from our great neighbour and friend, the United States of America.“President Obama’s second Inaugural Address is one such opportunity a speech that proclaimed that the well being of the country rests with the people, working for the people, powered by optimism and faith in founding principles of equality, justice and freedom.“The message for me was clear: We progress when we work together, holding to values of responsibility, fairness and respect; embracing one another, leaving no one behind; and understanding that the journey to a better society is never complete.”He described the event as an “uplifting and exciting experience” with the attendance of thousands of well-wishers to the words of the President himself.“I was thrilled to be a part of it, and proud to represent Bermuda,” Mr Cannonier said.