North Macedonia chose an auditor for NATO — but he is not going to Brussels
Ivan Ignjatov was named to NATO’s board of auditors over a year ago, but he has not taken up the post because payment and accommodation arrangements remain unresolved.
There is no one to cover accommodation and salary costs.
More than a year ago Ivan Ignjatov was selected to serve as one of six members of NATO's independent international board of auditors, the body that oversees how the Alliance spends its funds. However, the NATO website next to his name reads: "appointed on 1 August 2025, still not in office."
Instead of relocating to Brussels, Ignjatov continues to work in Skopje as the deputy to the chief auditor, Milaim Abdurayimi, at the State Audit Office, which audits the instrument for pre‑accession assistance for the country. Abdurayimi confirmed that Ignjatov remains employed at the institution. Ignjatov did not respond to calls or messages seeking comment.
Who pays for the post?
Publicly available documents show the central dispute: which party will pay Ignjatov’s salary and cover his accommodation while he would serve on the NATO board. That unresolved financing question appears to be the main obstacle to him taking up the post more than a year after his appointment.
Because the appointment carries an international mandate, the practical details of funding and secondment must be agreed between the auditor's employer and the receiving organisation. Until those arrangements are finalised, the NATO listing keeps the status note that he is "appointed ... still not in office."
The case leaves the country without its representative physically in Brussels while he continues his duties at the State Audit Office in Skopje, including audits related to the pre‑accession instrument. Officials involved so far have not announced a timetable for resolving the financing question.
Photo: press material from the event
