"Cyprus requires that Turkey plays a better role in protecting its external borders and in the readmission of irregulars," Besson told AFP during a visit to Cyprus.
"Turkey must do better, especially since it has opened at the same time several chapters in [accession] negotiations with the European Union," he said.
"We need concrete signs from Turkey on the readmission of illegal people," Besson added.
Turkey stands accused of doing too little to combat the thriving sex slave business in the northern part of Cyprus, occupied by Ankara since 1974.
In a June report, the US State Department said nearly 1,000 "hostess" work permits were issued last year in northern Cyprus, which are used mainly by prostitutes. The northern part of the island has 42 nightclubs and the authorities have no procedures in place to identify trafficking victims, the report said.
Sener Elcil, secretary-general of the Turkish Cypriot teachers' union, was quoted by AFP as saying that the police in northern Cyprus "did nothing" to prevent people trafficking, and even colluded with the organisers.
"Turkey is responsible for these activities. The mafia rules the northern part of the island, and police do nothing. Even worse, they're involved, they hold the passports of the girls when they arrive," he said.
Greece appeals for EU help
French daily le Monde writes today that Greece is also reeling from uncontrolled illegal migration flows from Turkey.
"Greece cannot stand the situation any longer […] We appeal on the EU to take its responsibility with regard to our country," the Greek minister for integration, Christos Papoutsis, was quoted as saying on a visit to the River Evros region, to the north-east of the country.
Since the beginning of 2010, the Greek police have intercepted 34,000 people in the area against 9,000 the year before, Le Monde further writes. Among the illegal migrants are Afghans, Pakistanis and Somalis as well as North and Western Africans, who now appear to prefer this itinerary to the more direct route to Spain.
The European Commission said it was in close contact with the Greek authorities. Home Affairs Commissioner Cecilia Malmström, who was in Greece last month, said Athens faced a "gigantic" task in dealing with the illegal immigration challenge.
Frontex, the European agency based in Warsaw which coordinates work in the field of border security, opened an operational office in the Greek city of Pireus on 1 October. This is the agency's first premises outside its Warsaw headquarters.
Ankara reluctant to accept readmission
Turkish nationals are subject to visa requirements to visit the EU. Turkey is urging the bloc to put in place a visa facilitation programme similar to the one which allowed several Western Balkan countries accede to visa free travel in the EU.
However, as a precondition, those countries have signed readmission agreements with the EU, agreeing to admit to their territory illegal migrants who have been able to reach the member countries. Turkey is reluctant to sign such an agreement.
