LISBON, Jan 3 (Reuters) - Argentina, whose new president Javier Milei has said the South American common market Mercosur serves no purpose, now appears to be more willing for the bloc to sign a free trade deal with the European Union, the EU's top diplomat Josep Borrell said.

Trade experts say the window of opportunity to clinch the EU-Mercosur deal is closing and its ratification by the European Parliament faces the hurdle of elections next year in Europe.

The deal was first agreed in 2019 but then delayed by European demands for environmental safeguards.

"Argentina today seems more willing to (reach) an agreement," Borrell told an event in Lisbon on Wednesday. (Reporting by Catarina Demony, writing by Andrei Khalip)