The U.S. State Department says leaders of the Group of Eight nations and the Group of 20 Nations will discuss ways to address the sinking of the Cheonan naval ship when they meet in Toronto, Canada this weekend.

Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters Tuesday that U.S. President Barack Obama will have the opportunity to meet with several leaders from the region this weekend.

Crowley said he’s certain that North Korea and its sinking of the Cheonan will be among the issues discussed, but added that he can't predict what kind of a statement will be released.

Asked to comment on Beijing’s statement that its position hasn't changed on the naval incident, Crowley said related discussions are continuously taking place at the U.N. Security Council in New York.

He stressed that the United States continues to support South Korea and feels that it's important for the international community to come together and make a strong, unequivocal response to North Korea's latest provocation.