The European Union could finish accession negotiations with Montenegro as early as the end of the year, paving the way for the Balkan country to become the bloc's next member in 2028, the European Commission said Wednesday.

"This ​is testament to ​Montenegro's sustained efforts to advance on ​the European ‌path and implement the reforms needed ​to turn ⁠EU membership into reality," the EU's executive said in its annual enlargement policy report.

The EU said Montenegro was the frontrunner among nine candidate countries currently seeking membership. The last country to join the bloc was Croatia in 2013.

"The significant progress achieved by some candidates over the last year allows us to turn the promise of enlargement into reality," European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said.…