[2] In the Foreign Ministry, he started in 1979 and served as Finland's Ambassador in Austria (1991–1995), Italy (2003–2006) and Sweden in 2006–2010 until his retirement.
[3][4] Between 1970 and 1972, Aalto worked as a journalist for Finnish Broadcasting Company, after which he was from 1973 to 1975 Head of Information department in the Council of State.
[3] He also served as the Head of Press Affairs in the European Security and Cooperation Conference.
[3] In 1991, Aalto started as an Ambassador in Austria while acting as a Permanent Representative of Finland in the UN organizations in Vienna and was accredited also in Slovenia.
Between 1995 and 1997, Aalto worked as Prime Minister's Special Assistant in the Council of the State in international affairs.