EU's Barroso hopes Slovak solution found for EFSF vote

BRUSSELS Oct 13 (Reuters) - European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said on Thursday he was confident Slovakia would approve changes to the euro zone's EFSF bailout fund, and that this would not be a problem for EU leaders when they meet on Oct. 23.

"I hope that this is going to find a solution, and I am told, the latest reports we have received from Slovakia, is that there is now a consensus or a majority in favour of a solution, and I welcome that," Barroso told reporters in Brussels. "So I don't think that this will be a problem for the European Council. I am anticipating a positive outcome."

Slovakia is the only one of the euro zone's 17 members yet to approve an increase in the EFSF's powers.

Its fallen ruling coalition was preparing a new vote on the EFSF on Thursday after forging a deal with the leftist opposition. The vote is intended to end a standoff over the fund, which is designed to stop the spread of the euro zone's sovereign debt crisis.