Oslo - Nobel Peace laureate Martti Ahtisaari on Friday repeated his view that talking to the Taliban was necessary in order to find a solution to the conflict in Afghanistan that has also spilled into neighbouring Pakistan.

"We also have to talk to so-called terrorists," Ahtisaari told news agency NTB, citing that his "long experience" of peace negotations had made him realize that "you have to talk to those in power, even if you don't share their views."

Ahtisaari was one of the guest speakers at an event hosted by the Norwegian Red Cross in Oslo.

The former Finnish president was in 2008 awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his mediation efforts in various conflicts ranging from Namibia to Aceh in Indonesia.

Ahtisaari said he had noted the Taliban had increased their sway over Pakistan, and said "Pakistan needs support to control its own territory."

The peace prize winner welcomed US President Barack Obama's move to name Richard Holbrooke as special envoy to Afghanistan and Pakistan, saying Holbrooke was very capable.

The international community should also focus on ensuring that more aid to reconstruction and development reaches local communities in Afghanistan.

Rebuilding schools and restoring water supplies would increase trust, he said. (dpa)