June 25 (Reuters) - European shares rose at the open on Thursday, boosted by gains in the technology sector after strong forecasts from Micron and Qualcomm eased concerns about high valuations in the sector, while a decline in oil prices provided additional support to markets.

The pan-European STOXX 600 index rose 0.27 percent to 636.88 points by 0711 GMT.

The rally in artificial intelligence stocks returned to the forefront after US chipmakers Micron and Qualcomm announced strong forecasts, which helped to temporarily calm investor fears that the rise in global AI-related stocks had reached exaggerated levels.

European technology stocks rose 1.7 percent, leading the index's gains. European technology stocks have climbed 30 percent this quarter.

Shares of chipmaker Infineon rose 5.2 percent and STMicroelectronics gained 3.7 percent, while shares of semiconductor equipment suppliers BE Semiconductor and ASML climbed more than 3.5 percent each.

Shares of Siemens Energy, the artificial intelligence equipment manufacturer, rose 1 percent.

The continued decline in oil prices helped to boost investor sentiment, with more stranded oil tankers leaving the Strait of Hormuz.

On the individual stock front, H&M shares fell 1.2 percent after the Swedish fashion company reported second-quarter operating profit below expectations. In contrast, the broader retail sector index rose 0.4 percent.

Shares in EasyJet jumped 5.5 percent after the British low-cost airline rejected a fourth takeover bid from US investment firm Castle Lake.