European Union justice ministers approved a common definition for "human trafficking" and common penalties today.
The agreement commits member states to co-ordinate their clampdown on traffickers, now defined as those who use coercion, force and deceit to exploit women and children sexually and in other ways.
The accord, expected to be formally endorsed by the 15 EU governments by mid-October, also establishes maximum jail sentences of no less than eight years for such criminals.
The agreement would require member states to close legal loopholes exploited by criminal gangs and open the way for much closer judicial and police co-operation, he told a news conference.
The lack of a common definition of trafficking means criminal gangs can operate networks of young prostitutes in and among member states with relative impunity and often face minimal sanctions.
Under the new deal, a criminal could be prosecuted in one member state for operating a sex ring in another member state.
The European Commission estimates that some 500,000 women and children are brought into Europe by traffickers every year.