Oct. 21 (Bloomberg) -- The European Union said European Commission President Jose Barroso is “confident that a deal can be reached” on a comprehensive response to the debt crisis.

Barroso reiterated that a “decisive response is essential” at the Oct. 23 summit of national leaders to restore market confidence, Pia Ahrenkilde-Hansen, a spokeswoman for the commission, told reporters in Brussels today.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jonathan Stearns in Brussels at jstearns2@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Jones Hayden at jhayden1@bloomberg.net