He had an extensive career at the State Chancellery of the Republic of Estonia, successively as counsellor to the minister for European affairs (1995–96), counsellor, then head of the office of European integration (1996–2001 and 2002–03), and chief government counsellor and director for EU affairs (2003–04).
Ta on pikka aega töötanud Riigikantseleis: euroministri nõuniku (1995–1996), eurointegratsiooni büroo juhataja (1996–2001; 2002-2003) ning valitsuse nõuniku ja EL asjade direktorina (2003–2004).