Roxette has received the Government’s Honorary Award for Swedish Music Exports.

Different variants of the Honorary Award for Swedish music exports have since 2006 been awarded to someone in the music industry who have made longstanding efforts to promote and spread Swedish music abroad and helped to spread a positive image of Sweden, says the Swedish government’s site.

The jury’s motivation: “This year’s honorary award winner celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2011 with one of the biggest tours a Swedish band has ever undertaken. The big world tour that began in Russia in February 2011 – and which will extend well into this year – exceeds the forecast of one million tickets for the group’s performances on four continents. The group has sold over 50 million albums plus another 20 million singles, and created some of music history’s greatest hits: “It Must Have Been Love,” “Joyride,” “The Look,” “Listen to Your Heart” and “Dressed for Success” – just to name a few. After ABBA Roxette is Sweden’s most successful band of all time on the international music scene.”

Per tells The Daily Roxette that they are very proud: “A mighty fine prize to get! Fun to be appreciated and recognized in our mother country as well.”