German bond yields above 1-week low; EU meeting eyed

* Euro zone periphery govt bond yields http://tmsnrt.rs/2ii2Bqr

LONDON, July 8 (Reuters) - German government bond yields slipped towards a one-week low on Wednesday as weaker global stock markets prompted a bout of risk aversion after a rally in risky assets in recent weeks.

With little important economic data on the calendar, bond markets are focused on an upcoming meeting between European Union officials to discuss the shape of the EU's recovery fund.

On Wednesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel will travel to Brussels to discuss the fund, which investors hope will be provided in part as grants, helping economic recovery in southern European states and easing worries they could be saddled with more debt.

Yields of German 10-year government debt edged 2 basis points lower to -0.477%, just above a one-week low of -0.495%.

Government debt in countries such as Italy has rallied and safe-haven assets have been under pressure since the proposal of an EU recovery fund was floated, but the outcome of the meeting later in the day might fuel some profit-taking.

"The market will be on the lookout for any leaks around this event, and we therefore see potential for position squaring this morning, especially in BTPs," Mizuho strategists said in a note.

Italian bonds have been the biggest beneficiary of the EU recovery fund proposals. Yields for 10-year government bonds fell nearly 40 bps over the past month; they were steady at 1.2780% on Wednesday.

Some European countries have raised concerns about the proposed grants, preferring the fund to be provided only as loans.

Elsewhere, British bond yields steadied before news of more stimulus from finance minister Rishi Sunak at 1130 GMT. He is expected to roll out more measures including tax cuts to counter surging unemployment.

Yields on 10-year British government bonds edged lower to 0.164%. (Reporting by Saikat Chatterjee; editing by Larry King)